Most recent facts and figures report
Read this page or download the January 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
|
Jan 2026 |
Dec 2025 |
Jan 2025 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Statewide rate |
5.0% |
4.9% |
4.4% |
|
Lowest county |
Asotin |
Asotin |
Asotin |
|
Lowest county rate |
3.5% |
3.9% |
3.8% |
|
Highest county |
Ferry |
Ferry |
Ferry |
|
Highest county rate |
9.4% |
8.8% |
8.8% |
Labor force
|
Characteristic |
Jan 2026 |
Dec 2025 |
Jan 2025 |
Difference Dec - Jan |
Difference 2025 - 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Labor force |
4,065,178 |
4,062,730 |
4,042,117 |
2,448
|
23,061
|
|
Unemployed, seeking work |
204,366 |
198,168 |
176,838 |
6,198 |
27,528 |
|
3,643,900 |
3,641,100 |
3,635,200 |
2,800 |
8,700 |
Top growth industries
|
Industry |
Job increases |
|---|---|
|
Construction |
4,900 |
|
Leisure and hospitality |
2,600 |
|
Private education and health services |
2,400 |
Unemployment claims
|
Benefit |
Jan 2026 |
Dec 2025 |
Jan 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular benefits claimants |
85,534 |
78,870 |
82,365 |
|
Continued regular claims |
11.9% |
14.4% |
16.2% |
|
Regular benefits paid |
$201.1M |
$207.4M |
$178.1M |
|
Average weekly benefit |
$754 |
$755 |
$710 |
Unemployment benefit range
|
High/Low |
Fiscal Year 2025 |
Fiscal Year 2024 |
|---|---|---|
|
Lowest weekly benefit |
$342 |
$323 |
|
Highest weekly benefit |
$1,079 |
$1,019 |
Long-term unemployment
|
Demographic |
Jan 2026 |
Dec 2025 |
Jan 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total LTU job seekers |
48,100 |
44,300 |
39,100 |
|
Percent of job seekers |
23.1% |
22.1% |
21.6% |
|
Percent of total labor force |
1.2% |
1.1% |
1.0% |
|
Percent male |
68% |
66% |
52% |
|
Percent female |
32% |
34% |
48% |
Paid Family and Medical Leave claims and benefits
|
PFML statistic |
Jan 2026 |
Dec 2025 |
Jan 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Applications submitted |
31,234 |
29,418 |
28,425 |
|
12-month change (%) |
9.88% |
12.3% |
11.81% |
|
Leaves paid |
60,660 |
62,294 |
57,523 |
|
Benefits approved - family |
$90,429,092 |
$95,279,465 |
$88,378,595 |
|
Benefits approved - medical |
$87,872,091 |
$96,775,033 |
$82,698,018 |
|
Average weekly payment |
$937.69 |
$932.92 |
$897.48 |
Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums and account balance
|
Quarterly measure |
Q4 2025 |
Q4 2024 |
|---|---|---|
|
Premiums collected |
$545.0M |
$419.4M |
|
Account balance |
$16.6M |
$115.2M |
Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums and account rates
|
Annual measure |
Calendar Year 2025 |
Calendar Year 2024 |
|---|---|---|
|
Premium rate |
0.9% |
0.7% |
|
Employer responsibility |
28.5% |
28.6% |
|
Premium wage cap |
$176,100 |
$168,600 |
Unemployment insurance trust fund
|
Quarterly measure |
Q4 2024 |
Q3 2024 |
|---|---|---|
|
Taxes collected |
$455.9M |
$565.6M |
|
Trust Fund balance |
$3.7B |
$3.7B |
WorkSource services
|
Statistic |
Jan 2026 |
Dec 2025 |
Jan 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
WorkSource participants |
71,465 |
71,024 |
83,003 |
|
Job seekers assisted with employment |
34,229 |
31,422 |
42,929 |
|
Job postings |
39,807 |
31,106 |
34,298 |
|
Employers posting jobs |
1,102 |
1,009 |
1,124 |
|
Employers provided a WorkSource service |
313 |
319 |
469 |
ESD employees
|
Demographic |
Jan 2026 |
Dec 2025 |
Nov 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total employees |
2,181 |
2,166 |
2,268 |
|
Permanent employees |
2,054 |
2,050 |
2,180 |
|
Employees of color |
25.95% |
26.0% |
26.3% |
ESD employee ages
|
Employee ages |
<25 |
25-39 |
40-54 |
55+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Percent of employees |
0.55% |
22.28% |
40.12% |
37.05% |
About these data
Reporting period differences
The following reported figures do not include October or November data:
- Unemployment rates
- Labor force
- Long-term unemployment
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.
The other data included in this report is current for Nov. 2025 reporting.
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