Posted May 2025
April 2025 Highlights
In April, the not seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate decreased from 3.4% to 3.1%. Total nonfarm employment decreased by 890 jobs in Whitman County over the year.
Summary
Whitman County, found in Eastern Washington, is a part of the Palouse region — an area of prairie land primarily used for agriculture. As of 2024, the county had approximately 48,399 residents, with the largest age demographic share in the 20 to 24 years old group. Pullman, where Washington State University is located, is the largest city in Whitman County. Colfax is the county seat.
Whitman County is most influenced by the agriculture industry, specializing in wheat, barley, dry peas, and lentils. It is the largest wheat producing county in the United States. Its largest employer is Washington State University, accounting for 30% of county employment. Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, headquartered in Pullman, is a significant manufacturing presence that develops critical infrastructure and energy transmission systems.
In 2024 the average annual labor force supply for the area was around 22,151 workers, with an average unemployment rate of 4.1%. There were approximately 1,192 businesses in the county during 2023.
Whitman County geographic overview
Whitman County is located in the southeastern part of Washington. It is not part of a larger metropolitan area but is known for its rich agricultural contributions. The city of Colfax serves as the county seat, while Pullman is the largest city in Whitman County, housing Washington State University.
The county spans 2,178 square miles, including 16 square miles of water. Its landscape features rolling hills, fertile farmland, and the scenic Palouse region.
Whitman County was created out of Stevens County in 1871 and is named after Marcus Whitman, an early missionary in the region.
Washington has 12 regional Workforce Development Areas. Whitman County is part of Area 10, the Eastern Washington Partnership. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the workforce regions.
Whitman County employment situation for April 2025
Monthly labor force and unemployment
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Whitman County had approximately 20,974 people in the labor force in April 2025, a decrease of 1,568 workers from April 2024. There were an estimated 20,327 workers employed, and 647 workers unemployed and actively looking for work in April 2025.
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The unemployment rate in the county was 3.1% in April 2025, which decreased from 3.4% in March 2025 and was down from 3.3% in April 2024.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Monthly payroll employment in Whitman County
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As of April 2025, total nonfarm employment in Whitman County was 22,250 jobs, a decrease of 200 jobs from the previous month and a decrease of 890 jobs from a year ago in April 2024.
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Private sectors, totaling 10,550 jobs, increased by 90 jobs from the previous month, but was down 410 jobs year-over-year.
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Goods producing sectors, had 3,500 jobs, a decrease of 30 jobs from the previous month but increased by 110 jobs over the year.
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Mining, logging, and construction had 480 jobs, a decrease of 50 jobs from the previous month and was unchanged from a year ago.
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Manufacturing had 3,020 jobs, an increase of 30 jobs from the previous month and up 100 jobs over the year.
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Service providing sectors, had 18,750 jobs, decrease of 180 jobs from the previous month and 1,000 jobs from a year ago in April 2024.
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Trade, transportation, and utilities, with 2,130 jobs, increased by 40 jobs from the previous month but decreased by 130 jobs over the year.
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Professional and business services had 770 jobs, which was unchanged over the month but down 40 jobs over the year.
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Private education and health services had 1,660 jobs, a decrease of 40 jobs from the previous month and 90 jobs over the year.
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Leisure and hospitality had 1,510 jobs, which increased by 100 jobs over the month but was down 260 jobs over the year.
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Government services including public educational services had 11,710 jobs, a decrease of 280 jobs from the previous month and 470 jobs or from a year ago in April 2024.
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State government had 8,850 jobs in April 2025, down 290 jobs over the month and 560 jobs over the year.
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Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Whitman County
| NAICS Industry Title | Apr 2025 (Prelim) | Mar 2025 (Revised) | Apr 2024 (Revised) | Mar 2025 to Apr 2025 Change | Apr 2024 to Apr 2025 Change | Apr 2024 to Apr 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 22,250 | 22,450 | 23,140 | -200 | -890 | -3.8% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 10,550 | 10,460 | 10,960 | 90 | -410 | -3.7% |
| Goods-producing | 3,500 | 3,530 | 3,390 | -30 | 110 | 3.2% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 480 | 530 | 480 | -50 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Manufacturing | 3,020 | 2,990 | 2,920 | 30 | 100 | 3.4% |
| Service-providing | 18,750 | 18,930 | 19,750 | -180 | -1,000 | -5.1% |
| - Wholesale trade | 530 | 530 | 560 | 0 | -30 | -5.4% |
| - Retail trade | 1,230 | 1,200 | 1,320 | 30 | -90 | -6.8% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 360 | 360 | 380 | 0 | -20 | -5.3% |
| - Information | 110 | 110 | 110 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 500 | 510 | 490 | -10 | 10 | 2.0% |
| - Professional and business services | 770 | 770 | 810 | 0 | -40 | -4.9% |
| - Private education and health services | 1,660 | 1,700 | 1,750 | -40 | -90 | -5.1% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 1,510 | 1,410 | 1,770 | 100 | -260 | -14.7% |
| - Other services | 370 | 340 | 370 | 30 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 11,710 | 11,990 | 12,180 | -280 | -470 | -3.9% |
Note: Data benchmarked through December 2024, updated May 16, 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, Whitman County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
During 2023, Whitman County’s average annual covered employment was 19,538. Covered employment refers to workers who received wages in Washington state and are eligible for state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) compensation programs.
Given the presence of workers associated with Washington State University, employment in the county is about half private and half government jobs.
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 Whitman County was $60,846 in 2023.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Government (8,004)
- Health care and social assistance (1,564)
- Retail trade (1,342)
- Accommodation and food services (1,697)
- Construction (618)
Top average annual earnings by sector in 2023:
- Professional, scientific, and technical services ($85,250)
- Finance and insurance ($76,596)
- Wholesale Trade ($71,196)
- Government ($69,732)
- Construction ($60,117)
Workforce demographics in Whitman County
The labor force participation rate is highest among the 25-29 age group at 83.2%, while the 65 to 74 age group has the lowest at 26.2%.
The male labor force has a slightly higher participation rate (76.1%) compared to the female labor force (71.2%). Those with a bachelor’s degree or higher have the highest participation rate at 83.8%, while those with less than a high school diploma have the lowest at 50.6%.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Whitman County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 40,563 | 62.5% | 6.5% |
| 16 to 19 years | 5,358 | 42.8% | 26.6% |
| 20 to 24 years | 10,848 | 65.4% | 9.6% |
| 25 to 29 years | 3,504 | 83.2% | 1.3% |
| 30 to 34 years | 3,072 | 78.7% | 0.5% |
| 35 to 44 years | 4,717 | 80.6% | 2.9% |
| 45 to 54 years | 3,585 | 81.6% | 2.4% |
| 55 to 59 years | 1,864 | 72.6% | 3.4% |
| 60 to 64 years | 2,159 | 66.5% | 0.7% |
| 65 to 74 years | 3,124 | 26.2% | 6.7% |
| 75 years and over | 2,332 | 12.1% | 4.6% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 31,598 | 63.1% | 6.6% |
| Black or African American alone | 728 | 41.1% | 0.3% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 333 | 63.7% | 15.1% |
| Asian alone | 3,083 | 56.8% | 9.1% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 73 | 50.7% | 8.1% |
| Some other race alone | 1,039 | 72.5% | 1.7% |
| Two or more races | 3,709 | 63.3% | 4.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 3,134 | 71.8% | 4.1% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 30,483 | 62.4% | 6.6% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 29,749 | 73.8% | 4.4% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 15,437 | 76.1% | 3.7% |
| Female | 14,312 | 71.2% | 5.2% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 3,530 | 67.6% | 2.9% |
| With own children under 6 only | 944 | 70.2% | 2.0% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 669 | 55.5% | 1.9% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 1,917 | 70.5% | 3.7% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 7,891 | 53.8% | 13.2% |
| At or above the poverty level | 19,659 | 84.0% | 1.2% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 3,116 | 53.1% | 7.5% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 18,901 | 78.6% | 1.9% |
| Less than high school graduate | 654 | 50.6% | 9.4% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 2,495 | 72.1% | 2.0% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 5,857 | 75.6% | 2.8% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9,895 | 83.8% | 1.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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