March 2025 Highlights
In March, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 5.1% to 4.0% over the year and total nonfarm employment decreased by 100 jobs over the year.
Summary
The county has 28,712 workers in the labor force. The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.0%. Total nonfarm employment during March 2025 was 18,550, a decrease of 100 jobs from March 2024 and a decrease of 250 jobs over the month. Total average annual covered employment during 2023 was 16,780 jobs. 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 240 over the year and decreased 40 jobs from February 2025, with most of the job losses concentrated in the state 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 March 2025
Labor force and unemployment
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From March 2024 to March 2025, the Kittitas County labor force increased by 4,605 to 28,712 workers.
- The March 2025 not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Kittitas County was 4.0%, down from 5.1% during March 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 March 2025 was 18,550, a decrease of 100 jobs from March 2024 and a decrease of 250 jobs from over the month.
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Wholesale trade was unchanged from March 2024 and unchanged over the month.
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Financial activities decreased 40 jobs from March 2024 and was unchanged over the month.
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Leisure and hospitality increased 160 jobs from March 2024 however decreased 220 jobs over the month.
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Retail trade increased 10 jobs from February 2024 and was up 20 jobs over the month.
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The government sector decreased by 240 jobs over the year and decreased 40 jobs over the month. Over the month job losses were concentrated primarily in state government.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Kittitas County
| NAICS Industry Title | Mar 2025 (Prelim) | Feb 2025 (Revised) | Mar 2024 (Revised) | Feb 2025 to Mar 2025 Change | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 Change | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 18,550 | 18,800 | 18,650 | -250 | -100 | -0.5% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 12,170 | 12,380 | 12,030 | -210 | 140 | 1.2% |
| Goods-producing | 1,960 | 1,930 | 1,930 | 30 | 30 | 1.6% |
| - Mining and logging | 20 | 10 | 20 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Construction | 1,340 | 1,290 | 1,290 | 50 | 50 | 3.9% |
| - Manufacturing | 610 | 620 | 620 | -10 | -10 | -1.6% |
| Service-providing | 16,590 | 16,870 | 16,730 | -280 | -140 | -0.8% |
| - Wholesale trade | 570 | 570 | 570 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Retail trade | 1,860 | 1,840 | 1,850 | 20 | 10 | 0.5% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 320 | 320 | 300 | 0 | 20 | 6.7% |
| - Information | 160 | 160 | 160 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 550 | 550 | 580 | 0 | -30 | -5.2% |
| - Professional and business services | 820 | 810 | 830 | 10 | -10 | -1.2% |
| - Private education and health services | 1,740 | 1,780 | 1,770 | -40 | -30 | -1.7% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 3,760 | 3,980 | 3,600 | -220 | 160 | 4.4% |
| - Other services | 440 | 450 | 440 | -10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 6,380 | 6,420 | 6,620 | -40 | -240 | -3.6% |
Note: Data benchmarked through September 2024, updated April 17, 2025.
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Detailed tables can be found on the source page in the third spreadsheet titled Current employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted.
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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