May 2025 highlights
In May, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 5.3% to 6.1% over the year and total nonfarm employment decreased by 3,400 jobs or 3.8% over the year.
Summary
Yakima County’s economy is diverse, with significant contributions from agriculture, food processing, health care, education, manufacturing, and retail trade. The county is renowned for its agricultural industry, particularly its production of apples, hops, dairy products, and wine grapes. Agriculture fuels food processing and distribution, making it a core component of the local economy.
Total covered employment in Yakima County is approximately 88,900 jobs. The annual average unemployment rate was around 5.3% in 2023, reflecting seasonal employment shifts tied to agriculture. Health care and educational services are major employment sectors, providing stability to the workforce. Manufacturing and retail trade also play key roles, contributing to economic resilience through product innovation and consumer-driven markets.
Workforce development initiatives focus on skill enhancement, particularly in agriculture, food processing, and trade-related industries, ensuring a competitive local workforce. Efforts to diversify the economy include supporting agribusiness growth, promoting tourism in the region’s wineries and outdoor recreation areas, and assisting small businesses through entrepreneurial programs.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing is the largest industry sector demanding workers in Yakima County at 28,695 average annual employment out of 116,064 total annual average employment in 2023. Yakima county has 2,523 farm operations which utilize 1.8 million acres of land. The farms generate $2.3 billion in sales annually.
Government sector jobs increased 700 jobs from a year ago and was unchanged over the month. The county has 5,883 establishments employing workers covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. The population of people ages 16 and older is 189,087.
Geography
Yakima is the second largest county in Washington state at 2.75 million acres. Three entities own or manage 63.4% of the land:
- The Yakama Nation (1,074,174 acres)
- The U.S. Forest Service (503,726 acres)
- The U.S. Army Yakima Training Center (165,787 acres)
Employment situation for May 2025
Labor force and unemployment
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As of May 2025, Yakima County total labor force, employment and unemployment decreased since May 2024.
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Yakima County has over 110,113 people in the labor force, with a decrease of 13,724 workers (11.1%) from May 2024, while employed workforce decreased by 13,182 workers (11.3%) and unemployed workers decreased by 542 workers (7.5%). About 6,662 people were unemployed and looking for work.
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The unemployment rate in the county was 6.1% in May 2025, which was an increase compared to 5.3% in April 2025 and 5.8% in May 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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As of May 2025, Yakima County total labor force, employment and unemployment decreased since May 2024.
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Yakima County has over 110,113 people in the labor force, with a decrease of 13,724 workers (11.1%) from May 2024, while employed workforce decreased by 13,182 workers (11.3%) and unemployed workers decreased by 542 workers (7.5%). About 6,662 people were unemployed and looking for work.
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The unemployment rate in the county was 6.1% in May 2025, which was an increase compared to 5.3% in April 2025 and 5.8% in May 2024.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Yakima County
| NAICS Industry Title | May 2025 (Prelim) | Apr 2025 (Revised) | May 2024 (Revised) | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change | May 2024 to May 2025 Change | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 86,800 | 88,900 | 90,200 | -2,100 | -3,400 | -3.8% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 68,200 | 70,200 | 71,200 | -2,000 | -3,000 | -4.2% |
| Goods-producing | 12,400 | 11,900 | 12,400 | 500 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 4,200 | 4,300 | 4,400 | -100 | -200 | -4.5% |
| - Manufacturing | 8,200 | 7,600 | 8,000 | 600 | 200 | 2.5% |
| Service-providing | 74,400 | 77,000 | 77,800 | -2,600 | -3,400 | -4.4% |
| - Wholesale trade | 4,400 | 4,300 | 4,400 | 100 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Retail trade | 11,600 | 11,500 | 11,400 | 100 | 200 | 1.8% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 3,600 | 3,700 | 3,800 | -100 | -200 | -5.3% |
| - Professional and business services | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,100 | 0 | -100 | -2.0% |
| - Private education and health services | 17,000 | 19,400 | 20,100 | -2,400 | -3,100 | -15.4% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 8,200 | 8,100 | 8,400 | 100 | -200 | -2.4% |
| - Government | 18,600 | 18,700 | 19,000 | -100 | -400 | -2.1% |
Note: Data benchmarked through December 2024, updated June 18, 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, Yakima 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 Yakima County was 116,064. The average annual wage was $49,831 which was 57.2% of Washington state’s average annual wage of $87,091.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing (28,695 jobs)
- Government (18,379 jobs)
- Health care and social assistance (17,853 jobs)
- Retail trade (11,509 jobs)
- Manufacturing (8,103 jobs)
Top sectors in terms of total wages paid in 2023:
- Government ($1,180,814,436)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing ($1,133,917,517)
- Health services ($970,102,892)
- Manufacturing ($474,005,530)
- Retail trade ($443,806,142)
Workforce demographics in Yakima County
Yakima County’s 16 and older population was 189,087 in 2023. The labor force participation rate was 62.1%. The average unemployment rate was 7.2%.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Yakima County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 189,744 | 62.6% | 7.1% |
| 16 to 19 years | 15,556 | 38.3% | 20.6% |
| 20 to 24 years | 17,088 | 74.9% | 12.1% |
| 25 to 29 years | 17,719 | 81.9% | 7.9% |
| 30 to 34 years | 16,943 | 78.1% | 7.0% |
| 35 to 44 years | 31,019 | 83.3% | 3.9% |
| 45 to 54 years | 27,508 | 79.7% | 5.5% |
| 55 to 59 years | 13,716 | 72.2% | 5.5% |
| 60 to 64 years | 13,573 | 60.2% | 2.9% |
| 65 to 74 years | 21,789 | 25.3% | 8.9% |
| 75 years and over | 14,833 | 5.9% | 10.3% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 107,143 | 57.9% | 4.4% |
| Black or African American alone | 1,629 | 61.6% | 6.6% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 6,240 | 52.0% | 11.0% |
| Asian alone | 2,526 | 60.8% | 0.9% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 705 | 67.9% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 33,722 | 70.3% | 11.4% |
| Two or more races | 37,779 | 70.7% | 9.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 86,926 | 70.7% | 9.4% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 87,055 | 55.4% | 4.1% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 137,566 | 77.3% | 6.2% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 69,542 | 82.1% | 5.4% |
| Female | 68,024 | 72.5% | 7.1% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 27,414 | 74.1% | 7.3% |
| With own children under 6 only | 5,012 | 72.0% | 8.1% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 7,968 | 69.8% | 6.9% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 14,434 | 77.3% | 7.2% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 18,008 | 44.8% | 20.3% |
| At or above the poverty level | 118,378 | 83.0% | 5.1% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 16,780 | 39.3% | 9.5% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 120,478 | 77.7% | 5.4% |
| Less than high school graduate | 29,311 | 71.8% | 8.4% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 36,171 | 75.7% | 5.7% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 32,854 | 77.8% | 5.6% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22,142 | 88.4% | 1.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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