Summary
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.9% in February 2025, up from 5.3% in January 2025 and down from 6.2% in February 2024. Skagit County has 56,774 workers in its labor force. Total nonfarm employment at 53,000 jobs increased by 1,200 from February 2024 to February 2025 and decreased 300 from January 2025.
Location
Skagit County, located in northwest Washington, is situated between Whatcom County to the north and Snohomish County to the south. The Salish Sea lies to the west and the Cascade Mountains rise to the east. The Skagit River runs through the largest population centers of the county. Although most of Skagit County is continental, it includes several islands in the Salish Sea.
Skagit County ranges in elevation from sea level to a high point of 9,114 feet at the non-volcanic peak, Mount Buckner. Glacier Peak, located in neighboring Snohomish County, is noted by the U.S. Geologic Survey as one of the most active and explosive of Washington's volcanoes. Glacier Peak shaped the geography of the Skagit River valley through tremendous mud and debris flows (lahars) that at times traveled over 100 miles to reach the Salish Sea.
Skagit County is synonymous with the Mount Vernon-Anacortes Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and is part of the Northwest Workforce Development Area. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the 12 regions.
Employment situation for February 2025
Labor force and unemployment
- The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.9% in February 2025, up from 5.3% in January 2025 and down from 6.2% in February 2024.
- The labor force decreased by 2,409 workers over the year to 56,774 workers.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment
- Total nonfarm employment at 53,000 jobs increased by 1,200 from February 2024 to February 2025 and decreased 300 from January 2025.
- Mining, logging and construction employment at 4,400 jobs decreased by 100 jobs from February 2024 to February 2025 and decreased 100 jobs from January 2025.
- Manufacturing employment at 6,500 jobs increased by 500 jobs from February 2024 to February 2025 and was unchanged from January 2025.
- Retail trade employment at 6,800 jobs increased by 100 jobs from February 2024 to February 2025 and was unchanged from January 2025.
- Leisure and hospitality employment at 5,000 jobs increased by 200 jobs from February 2024 to February 2025 and was unchanged from January 2025.
- Government employment at 12,900 jobs increased by 400 jobs from February 2024 to February 2025 and was unchanged from January 2025.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Skagit 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 | 53,000 | 53,300 | 51,800 | -300 | 1,200 | 2.3% |
| - Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 40,100 | 40,400 | 39,300 | -300 | 800 | 2.0% |
| - - Goods-producing | 10,900 | 11,000 | 10,500 | -100 | 400 | 3.8% |
| - - - - Mining, logging and construction | 4,400 | 4,500 | 4,500 | -100 | -100 | -2.2% |
| - - - - Manufacturing | 6,500 | 6,500 | 6,000 | 0 | 500 | 8.3% |
| - - Service-providing | 42,100 | 42,300 | 41,300 | -200 | 800 | 1.9% |
| - - - - Trade, transportation, and utilities | 9,800 | 9,800 | 9,800 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - - - - - Retail trade | 6,800 | 6,800 | 6,700 | 0 | 100 | 1.5% |
| - - - - Leisure and hospitality | 5,000 | 5,000 | 4,800 | 0 | 200 | 4.2% |
| - - Government | 12,900 | 12,900 | 12,500 | 0 | 400 | 3.2% |
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, Skagit County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Average annual covered employment in Skagit County was 52,445 in 2023. Covered employment refers to workers who received wages in Washington state and are eligible for state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) compensation programs.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
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Government (11,982)
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Retail trade (6,747)
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Manufacturing (5,732)
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Health care and social assistance (5,265)
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Accommodation and food services (4,439)
Wages can vary substantially from one industry sector to another. The average annual wage in Washington state for all industries was $87,054 in 2023. The average annual wage in Skagit County was $61,702 in 2023.
Top sectors in terms of wage in 2023:
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Utilities ($127,119)
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Management of companies and enterprises ($95,500)
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Professional, scientific, and technical services ($84,279)
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Finance and insurance ($82,164)
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Information ($82,158)
Workforce demographics in Skagit County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 106,270 | 58.5% | 4.9% |
| 16 to 19 years | 6,069 | 45.4% | 14.1% |
| 20 to 24 years | 6,705 | 82.0% | 9.0% |
| 25 to 29 years | 8,033 | 83.0% | 3.7% |
| 30 to 34 years | 8,237 | 81.3% | 3.4% |
| 35 to 44 years | 16,398 | 81.6% | 5.5% |
| 45 to 54 years | 14,546 | 82.4% | 3.2% |
| 55 to 59 years | 8,206 | 71.5% | 2.8% |
| 60 to 64 years | 9,266 | 52.1% | 3.4% |
| 65 to 74 years | 17,301 | 22.4% | 5.1% |
| 75 years and over | 11,509 | 5.7% | 3.3% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 84,489 | 55.7% | 4.2% |
| Black or African American alone | 978 | 68.3% | 3.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 1,532 | 68.3% | 12.3% |
| Asian alone | 2,323 | 61.0% | 1.6% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 258 | 86.8% | 13.8% |
| Some other race alone | 9,011 | 74.7% | 5.9% |
| Two or more races | 7,679 | 65.9% | 8.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 16,426 | 73.4% | 8.1% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 80,165 | 54.8% | 4.0% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 71,391 | 76.9% | 4.4% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 35,940 | 82.6% | 4.8% |
| Female | 35,451 | 71.2% | 3.9% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 12,657 | 70.0% | 3.1% |
| With own children under 6 only | 3,368 | 59.2% | 3.6% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 2,183 | 60.9% | 3.1% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 7,106 | 77.9% | 2.9% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 8,121 | 45.4% | 21.3% |
| At or above the poverty level | 62,877 | 81.4% | 3.1% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 8,724 | 45.9% | 10.7% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 64,686 | 76.4% | 3.9% |
| Less than high school graduate | 6,643 | 70.5% | 6.0% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 17,503 | 75.4% | 4.0% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 23,011 | 72.8% | 4.8% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17,529 | 84.5% | 2.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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