Summary
The county has 28,592 workers in the labor force. The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.0% with 27,150 jobs during February 2025. Total average annual covered employment during 2023 was 16,780 jobs. Total nonfarm employment during February 2025 was 18,770, an increase of 380 jobs from February 2024 and an increase of 180 jobs from January 2025. The government makes up the largest industry sector with an annual average employment of 4,557 out of 16,780 total annual average employment. The government sector decreased by 70 over the year and increased 80 jobs from January 2025, with most of the job gains concentrated in the local government subsector. The county has 1,379 establishments employing workers covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. Kittitas County’s 16 and older population was 37,765 in 2023.
Geography
Kittitas County is in the center of the state, 107 miles east of Seattle. It is nestled between the Cascade Mountains to the west and the Columbia River to the east. With 2,297.3 square miles, it is the eighth largest county in Washington by land area.
Employment situation for February 2025
Labor force and unemployment
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From February 2024 to February 2025, the Kittitas County labor force increased by 4,956 to 28,592 workers.
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The February 2025 not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Kittitas County was 5.0%, down 1.0% from 6.0% during February 2024.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment
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Total nonfarm employment during February 2025 was 18,770, an increase of 380 jobs from February 2024 and an increase of 180 jobs from January 2025.
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Wholesale trade increased by 20 jobs from February 2024 and decreased by10 jobs from January 2025.
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Financial activities decreased 40 jobs from February 2024 and was unchanged from January 2025.
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Leisure and hospitality increased 410 jobs from February 2024 and increased 10 jobs from January 2025.
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Retail trade was unchanged from February 2024 and unchanged from January 2025.
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The government sector decreased by 70 over the year and increased 80 jobs from January 2025. Over the month job gains were concentrated primarily in local government.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Kittitas County
| NAICS Industry Title | Feb 2025 (Prelim) | Jan 2025 (Revised) | Feb 2024 (Revised) | Jan 2025 to Feb 2025 Change | Feb 2024 to Feb 2025 Change | Feb 2024 to Feb 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 18,770 | 18,590 | 18,390 | 180 | 380 | 2.1% |
| - Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 12,350 | 12,250 | 11,900 | 100 | 450 | 3.8% |
| - - Goods-producing | 1,930 | 1,890 | 1,930 | 40 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - - - - - Mining and logging | 10 | 10 | 20 | 0 | -10 | -50.0% |
| - - - - - Construction | 1,290 | 1,260 | 1,280 | 30 | 10 | 0.8% |
| - - - - Manufacturing | 620 | 610 | 620 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - - Service-providing | 16,840 | 16,700 | 16,470 | 140 | 370 | 2.2% |
| - - - - - Wholesale trade | 570 | 580 | 550 | -10 | 20 | 3.6% |
| - - - - - Retail trade | 1,840 | 1,840 | 1,840 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - - - - - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 320 | 310 | 300 | 10 | 20 | 6.7% |
| - - - - Information | 160 | 160 | 150 | 0 | 10 | 6.7% |
| - - - - Financial activities | 550 | 550 | 590 | 0 | -40 | -6.8% |
| - - - - Professional and business services | 810 | 800 | 760 | 10 | 50 | 6.6% |
| - - - - Private education and health services | 1,750 | 1,680 | 1,770 | 70 | -20 | -1.1% |
| - - - - Leisure and hospitality | 3,990 | 3,980 | 3,580 | 10 | 410 | 11.5% |
| - - - - Other services | 450 | 460 | 440 | -10 | 10 | 2.3% |
| - - Government | 6,420 | 6,340 | 6,490 | 80 | -70 | -1.1% |
Note: Data benchmarked through September 2024, updated March 28, 2025.
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Industry employment (covered employment)
Employment by industry, Kittitas County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Covered employment, or Quarterly Census of Employment and Wage (QCEW) data, include agricultural and nonagricultural employment and wages for firms, organizations and individuals whose employees are covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. Covered employment generally exceeds 85% of total employment in the state of Washington. Average annual covered employment in 2023 in Kittitas County was 16,780. The average annual wage was $51,268 which was 58.9% of Washington state’s average annual wage of $87,091.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Government (4,557 jobs)
- Accommodation and food services (2,498 jobs)
- Retail trade (1,871 jobs)
- Construction (1,355 jobs)
- State government (1,777 jobs)
- Health care and social assistance (1,346)
Top sectors in terms of total wages paid in 2023:
- Government ($315.3 million)
- Construction ($90.5 million)
- Accommodation and food services ($74.3 million)
- Retail trade ($65.8 million)
- Health care and social assistance ($60.3 million)
Workforce demographics in Kittitas County
Kittitas County’s 16 and older population was 37,765 in 2023. The labor force participation rate in Kittitas County was 61.4% with an average unemployment rate of 5.1%.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Kittitas County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 37,765 | 61.4% | 5.1% |
| 16 to 19 years | 3,452 | 50.6% | 23.6% |
| 20 to 24 years | 5,037 | 73.2% | 8.3% |
| 25 to 29 years | 3,041 | 88.0% | 5.4% |
| 30 to 34 years | 2,610 | 85.1% | 1.9% |
| 35 to 44 years | 4,899 | 78.3% | 2.4% |
| 45 to 54 years | 5,039 | 81.3% | 0.7% |
| 55 to 59 years | 2,510 | 74.1% | 3.2% |
| 60 to 64 years | 3,486 | 48.5% | 3.9% |
| 65 to 74 years | 4,768 | 26.4% | 2.4% |
| 75 years and over | 2,923 | 3.6% | 9.6% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 31,768 | 60.1% | 4.6% |
| Black or African American alone | 472 | 68.0% | 9.7% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 185 | 55.1% | 0.0% |
| Asian alone | 656 | 56.3% | 1.1% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 48 | 56.3% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 1,946 | 72.9% | 3.8% |
| Two or more races | 2,690 | 68.4% | 12.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 3,398 | 72.0% | 5.1% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 30,812 | 60.2% | 4.5% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 26,622 | 75.4% | 3.7% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 13,518 | 79.3% | 4.4% |
| Female | 13,104 | 71.3% | 2.8% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 3,954 | 68.8% | 0.7% |
| With own children under 6 only | 784 | 73.0% | 3.1% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 489 | 58.9% | 0.0% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 2,681 | 69.4% | 0.0% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 3,953 | 44.5% | 11.8% |
| At or above the poverty level | 22,078 | 81.8% | 2.7% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 3,047 | 46.6% | 10.8% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 21,585 | 75.9% | 2.6% |
| Less than high school graduate | 1,654 | 57.4% | 5.3% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 5,804 | 74.0% | 2.7% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 6,167 | 70.6% | 2.0% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 7,960 | 85.2% | 2.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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