Posted April 2025
March 2025 Highlights
In March, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 5.0% to 4.5% and total nonfarm employment decreased by 0.3% over the year.
Summary
Spokane County is located in the northeast region of Washington state. About 551,455 people live in the county and the largest demographic is people 25 to 34 years of age with 14.9% of total population Spokane is the second-largest city in Washington and serves as the business, transportation, medical, industrial, and cultural hub of the Inland Northwest.
Spokane County was created in 1858 and became a regional hub for mining, timber, and railroads in the 1870s. Historically, Spokane's economy has been shaped by its role as a regional service center for Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. Major sectors are government, higher education, medical services, retail trade, and finance. Fairchild Air Force Base is the largest employer and is expected to grow.
The private sector has seen significant job increases due to the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions. Key industries with growth are transportation and warehousing, advanced manufacturing, health services, professional and business services, and agriculture.
Some recent developments include a health sciences campus, Amazon fulfillment centers, and biotechnology firms. Spokane is attracting investments from tourism, conventions, military, and research, supporting a diversified economy.
There were around 14,279 firms demanding labor in the county with 241,636 jobs filled by workers in 2023. Spokane County had about 264,059 people in the labor force in 2023, and 4.2% of those workers were unemployed. Spokane is part of the Spokane Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which also includes Stevens and Pend Oreille counties.
Spokane County geographic overview
Spokane County is in eastern Washington and shares its eastern border with Idaho. Spokane is both the county seat and the largest city in Spokane County.
The county covers 1,764 square miles, including 17 square miles of water. Its landscape features a mix of urban areas, suburban developments, and beautiful natural settings, including rivers, lakes, and parks.
Spokane County was created out of Walla Walla County in 1858 and derives its name from the Spokane tribe.
Washington has 12 regional Workforce Development Areas. Spokane County is part of Area 12, the Spokane Workforce Development Area. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the workforce regions.
Spokane County employment situation for March 2025
Monthly labor force and unemployment
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As of March 2025, Spokane County has experienced notable employment and unemployment trends. Employment levels remain relatively stable, with a slight decrease in total labor force, employment, and unemployment.
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Spokane County has more than 253,147 people in the labor force, with a decrease of 4.5% or 11,812 workers from March 2024. Employed workforce decreased by 3.9% or 9,816 workers over the year. Unemployed workers decreased by 15.0% or 1,996 workers. About 11,315 people were unemployed and looking for work.
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The unemployment rate in the county was 4.5% in March 2025, which decreased from 5.7% in February 2025 and from 5.0% in March 2024.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Monthly nonfarm payroll employment in Spokane - Spokane Valley MSA
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As of March 2025, total nonfarm employment in Spokane - Spokane Valley MSA was 264,400 jobs, with an increase of 600 jobs or 0.2% over the month and a decrease of 800 jobs or 0.3% from March 2024. Private sectors, totaling 222,300 jobs, saw an increase of 700 jobs or 0.3%, over the month, and a decrease of 100 jobs or 0.0% from March 2024 to March 2025.
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Goods producing sectors, with 31,900 jobs, increased by 300 jobs or 0.9% over the month and decreased by 1,100 jobs or 3.3% from March 2024.
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Mining, logging, and construction, with 14,900 jobs, increased by 400 jobs or 2.8% over the month, and decreased by -400 jobs or -2.6% over the year.
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Manufacturing, with 17,000 jobs, decreased by 100 jobs or 0.6% over the month and 700 jobs or 4.0% over the year.
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Service providing sectors, with 232,500 jobs, increased by 300 jobs or 0.1% over the month and 300 jobs or 0.1% from March 2024.
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Trade, transportation, and utilities, with 50,600 jobs, increased by 100 jobs or 0.2% over the month and 200 jobs or 0.4% over the year.
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Information and financial activities sectors, with of 16,900 jobs, decreased by 100 jobs or 0.6% over the month and 200 jobs or 1.2%, over the year.
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Professional and business services, with 29,200 jobs, increased by 300 jobs or 1.0% over the month and remained unchanged over the year.
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Private education and health services, with 58,600 jobs, decreased by 500 jobs or 0.8% over the month and remained unchanged over the year.
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Leisure and hospitality industry, with 25,200 jobs, increased by 300 jobs or 1.2% over the month, and 500 jobs or 2.0%, over the year.
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Government services, including public educational services totaled 42,100 jobs, decreased by 100 jobs or 0.2% over the month and 700 jobs or 1.6% from March 2024.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Spokane - Spokane Valley MSA
| 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 | 264,400 | 263,800 | 265,200 | 600 | -800 | -0.3% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 222,300 | 221,600 | 222,400 | 700 | -100 | 0.0% |
| Goods-producing | 31,900 | 31,600 | 33,000 | 300 | -1,100 | -3.3% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 14,900 | 14,500 | 15,300 | 400 | -400 | -2.6% |
| - Manufacturing | 17,000 | 17,100 | 17,700 | -100 | -700 | -4.0% |
| Service-providing | 232,500 | 232,200 | 232,200 | 300 | 300 | 0.1% |
| - Wholesale trade | 11,200 | 11,200 | 11,300 | 0 | -100 | -0.9% |
| - Retail trade | 28,200 | 28,000 | 27,700 | 200 | 500 | 1.8% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 11,200 | 11,300 | 11,400 | -100 | -200 | -1.8% |
| - Information | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 13,900 | 14,000 | 14,100 | -100 | -200 | -1.4% |
| - Professional and business services | 29,200 | 28,900 | 29,200 | 300 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Private education and health services | 58,600 | 59,100 | 58,600 | -500 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 25,200 | 24,900 | 24,700 | 300 | 500 | 2.0% |
| - Other services | 9,700 | 9,600 | 9,400 | 100 | 300 | 3.2% |
| - Government | 42,100 | 42,200 | 42,800 | -100 | -700 | -1.6% |
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.
Total covered employment
Employment by industry, Spokane County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
The average annual covered employment in Spokane County was 241,636 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.
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 Spokane County was $62,390 in 2023.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Health care and social assistance (45,871)
- Government (35,893)
- Retail trade (26,469)
- Accommodation and food services (20,672)
- Manufacturing (16,477)
Top industry sectors in terms of wages in 2023:
- Other industries ($169,577)
- Management of companies and enterprises ($116,879)
- Utilities ($112,534)
- Finance and insurance ($104,227)
- Mining ($99,449)
Workforce demographics in Spokane County
The labor force participation rate is highest among the 25 to 29 years age group at 83.7%, while the 65 to 74 age group has the lowest at 22.7%. Participation rate for labor force prime working population 20 to 64 years of age was 76.7%.
Male workers have a slightly higher participation rate (80.7%) compared to female workers (72.7%). Those with a bachelor’s degree or higher have the highest participation rate at 85.6%, while people with less than a high school diploma have the lowest at 54.7%.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Spokane County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 438,738 | 61.8% | 5.7% |
| 16 to 19 years | 26,511 | 42.3% | 18.2% |
| 20 to 24 years | 35,080 | 77.1% | 8.7% |
| 25 to 29 years | 39,888 | 83.7% | 7.4% |
| 30 to 34 years | 41,186 | 80.7% | 5.4% |
| 35 to 44 years | 72,388 | 81.3% | 5.0% |
| 45 to 54 years | 63,071 | 78.9% | 4.3% |
| 55 to 59 years | 31,083 | 71.7% | 3.1% |
| 60 to 64 years | 36,976 | 56.1% | 2.4% |
| 65 to 74 years | 56,730 | 22.7% | 4.4% |
| 75 years and over | 35,825 | 5.0% | 6.4% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 375,112 | 61.3% | 5.3% |
| Black or African American alone | 8,613 | 66.7% | 12.3% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 4,504 | 56.8% | 14.0% |
| Asian alone | 10,000 | 62.7% | 4.2% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 2,491 | 67.0% | 6.4% |
| Some other race alone | 8,653 | 71.4% | 6.6% |
| Two or more races | 29,365 | 64.6% | 8.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 26,166 | 69.0% | 6.1% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 367,058 | 61.1% | 5.3% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 319,672 | 76.7% | 5.2% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 161,744 | 80.7% | 5.8% |
| Female | 157,928 | 72.7% | 4.6% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 52,115 | 74.2% | 5.0% |
| With own children under 6 only | 11,439 | 67.8% | 7.2% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 11,370 | 65.9% | 7.8% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 29,306 | 79.9% | 3.4% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 39,291 | 43.6% | 26.2% |
| At or above the poverty level | 274,815 | 82.6% | 3.6% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 43,472 | 44.3% | 11.1% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 284,592 | 76.7% | 4.8% |
| Less than high school graduate | 15,934 | 54.7% | 11.9% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 68,014 | 71.8% | 5.9% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 109,627 | 75.5% | 5.4% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 91,017 | 85.6% | 2.7% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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