Most recent facts and figures report
Read this page or download the May 2026 facts and figures report (PDF, 184KB) to see the latest data highlights.
The 2025 annual facts and figures report (PDF, 202KB) is now available.
Unemployment rates
|
May 2026 |
Apr 2026 |
May 2025 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Statewide rate |
5.2% |
5.2% |
4.5% |
|
Lowest county |
Asotin |
Asotin |
Asotin |
|
Lowest county rate |
3.1% |
3.4% |
3.1% |
|
Highest county |
Wahkiakum |
Ferry |
Ferry |
|
Highest county rate |
7.8% |
7.8% |
6.8% |
Labor force
|
Characteristic |
May 2026 |
Apr 2026 |
May 2025 |
Difference Apr - May |
Difference 2025 - 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Labor force |
4,065,952 |
4,062,747 |
4,048,701 |
3,205 |
17,251 |
|
Unemployed, seeking work |
212,412 |
212,320 |
184,110 |
92 |
28,302 |
|
3,637,500 |
3,626,900 |
3,627,200 |
10,600 |
10,300 |
Top growth industries
|
Industry |
Job increases |
|---|---|
|
Leisure and hospitality |
4,800 |
|
Manufacturing |
2,200 |
|
Construction |
1,600 |
Unemployment claims
|
Benefit |
May 2026 |
Apr 2026 |
May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular benefits claimants |
65,353 |
69,395 |
65,397 |
|
Continued regular claims |
-1.2% |
1.9% |
21.2% |
|
Regular benefits paid |
$181.1M |
$173.0M |
$156.4M |
|
Average weekly benefit |
$776 |
$767 |
$739 |
Unemployment benefit range
|
High/Low |
Fiscal Year 2026 |
Fiscal Year 2025 |
|---|---|---|
|
Lowest weekly benefit |
$366 |
$343 |
|
Highest weekly benefit |
$1,152 |
$1,079 |
Long-term unemployment
|
Demographic |
May 2026 |
Apr 2026 |
May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total LTU job seekers |
57,900 |
54,900 |
35,800 |
|
Percent of job seekers |
26.7% |
25.3% |
20.0% |
|
Percent of total labor force |
1.4% |
1.3% |
0.9% |
|
Percent male |
69% |
72% |
54% |
|
Percent female |
31% |
28% |
46% |
Paid Family and Medical Leave claims and benefits
|
PFML statistic |
May 2026 |
Apr 2026 |
May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Applications submitted |
30,223 |
31,056 |
27,856 |
|
12-month change (%) |
8.50% |
8.63% |
9.62% |
|
Leaves paid |
65,094 |
64,912 |
58,442 |
|
Benefits approved - family |
$96,243,671 |
$89,621,417 |
$80,144,128 |
|
Benefits approved - medical |
$109,399,800 |
$102,736,062 |
$87,786,542 |
|
Average weekly payment |
$963.94 |
$956.89 |
$920.42 |
Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums and account balance
|
Quarterly measure |
Q1 2026 |
Q1 2025 |
|---|---|---|
|
Premiums collected |
$499,128,484 |
$385,756,979 |
|
Account balance |
-$76,756,355 |
-$19,177,091 |
About these data
Reporting period differences
The following reported figures do not include October 2025 data:
- Unemployment rates
- Labor force
The delay in data for this month’s report is the result of the federal government shutdown in October and November of 2025. During that period, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) suspended their collection and release of labor market data.
BLS rescheduled November publication data to Jan. 2026. BLS canceled October data reporting because it couldn't collect the monthly survey data during the shutdown.
Sources
ESD Human Resource Management System (HRMS), Employment Security Department/LMIR; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, Employment Security Department/LMIR; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics, Employment Security Department/LMIR; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey; Employment Security Department/Leave and Care/WA Paid Leave Administrative Data