Posted June 2025
May 2025 highlights
In May, the not seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate increased from 3.8% to 4.4%. Total nonfarm employment decreased by 2,000 jobs in the Wenatchee MSA from May 2024 to May 2025.
Summary
Chelan County’s labor supply was 36,564 workers as of May 2025, with a not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.4%. Total nonfarm employment in the Wenatchee metropolitan district was 47,700 jobs in May 2025, a decrease of 2,000 jobs from May 2024, and a decrease of 100 jobs from April 2025. Agriculture, forestry and fishing make up the largest industry sector with an annual average employment of 8,134 jobs out of 45,448 total annual average employment. Chelan County is the sixth largest producer of fruits, tree nuts and berries in the state. The county generates $261 million of revenue annually from these crops. There are 712 farms utilizing 55,095 acres of land. The county has 3,092 establishments employing workers covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. Chelan County’s 16 and older population was 63,416 in 2023.
Geography
Chelan County is located in the center of Washington. Lake Chelan is a local attraction. It is more than 50 miles long and is abutted by high mountain peaks.
Chelan County is part of the Wenatchee, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), comprised of Chelan and Douglas counties. It is part of the SkillSource Workforce Development Area, covering north central Washington. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce areas.
Employment situation for May 2025
Labor force and unemployment
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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.4% in May 2025, unchanged from May 2024.
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The May 2025 labor force of 36,564 workers decreased by 4,534 from May 2024.
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The total employed workers decreased by 4,364 workers from May 2024 to May 2025.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment, Wenatchee Metropolitan Statistical Area
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Total nonfarm employment was 47,700 jobs in May 2025 and total employment decreased by 100 jobs from April 2025 and decreased 2,000 jobs from May 2024.
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Leisure and hospitality, at 6,400 jobs, decreased by 400 jobs from April 2025 and has decreased by 1,000 jobs from May 2024.
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Mining, logging and construction employment decreased by 600 jobs from May 2024 to May 2025 and now sits at 3,400 jobs.
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Private education and health services, at 8,300 jobs, decreased by 400 jobs from April 2025 to May 2025, and decreased by 200 jobs from May 2024.
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Government, at 9,900 jobs, increased by 300 jobs from April 2025 to May 2025. The federal, state, and local government sectors added 100 jobs each in this time.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Wenatchee MSA
| 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 | 47,700 | 47,800 | 49,700 | -100 | -2,000 | -4.0% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 37,800 | 38,200 | 39,900 | -400 | -2,100 | -5.3% |
| Goods-producing | 6,200 | 6,200 | 6,900 | 0 | -700 | -10.1% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 3,400 | 3,400 | 4,000 | 0 | -600 | -15.0% |
| - Manufacturing | 2,800 | 2,800 | 2,900 | 0 | -100 | -3.4% |
| Service-providing | 41,500 | 41,600 | 42,800 | -100 | -1,300 | -3.0% |
| - Trade, transportation, and utilities | 9,300 | 9,100 | 9,600 | 200 | -300 | -3.1% |
| - - Retail trade | 6,200 | 6,200 | 6,400 | 0 | -200 | -3.1% |
| - Private education and health services | 8,300 | 8,700 | 8,500 | -400 | -200 | -2.4% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 6,400 | 6,800 | 7,400 | -400 | -1,000 | -13.5% |
| - Government | 9,900 | 9,600 | 9,800 | 300 | 100 | 1.0% |
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, Chelan County 2023 annual average
Note: ND stands for not disclosed. ND is used to avoid disclosing data for individual employers. Industries labeled ND are grouped in the Not elsewhere classified category.
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Average annual covered employment in 2023 in Chelan County was 45,448. 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:
- Agriculture (8,134)
- Health services (6,908)
- Local government (5,454)
- Accommodation and food services (4,771)
- Retail trade (4,454)
Wages can vary substantially from one industry sector to another. The average annual wage in Chelan County was $54,174 which was 62.2% of Washington state’s average annual wage of $87,091.
Top sectors in terms of wages/payroll in 2023:
- Health services ($518.0 million)
- Local government ($390.7 million)
- Agriculture ($287.0 million)
- Construction ($207.9 million)
- Retail trade ($164.3 million)
Workforce demographics for Chelan County
Chelan County’s 16 and older population was 63,416 in 2023 with an unemployment rate of 4.0%.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Chelan County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 63,416 | 60.7% | 4.0% |
| 16 to 19 years | 3,693 | 42.5% | 11.9% |
| 20 to 24 years | 4,515 | 82.3% | 8.6% |
| 25 to 29 years | 4,772 | 88.0% | 1.7% |
| 30 to 34 years | 4,990 | 86.2% | 5.7% |
| 35 to 44 years | 10,009 | 84.9% | 2.8% |
| 45 to 54 years | 8,615 | 84.1% | 3.8% |
| 55 to 59 years | 4,923 | 73.2% | 2.2% |
| 60 to 64 years | 5,608 | 53.9% | 1.5% |
| 65 to 74 years | 9,771 | 20.2% | 3.7% |
| 75 years and over | 6,520 | 5.6% | 0.0% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 46,524 | 55.6% | 3.8% |
| Black or African American alone | 324 | 63.3% | 13.7% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 788 | 77.3% | 2.5% |
| Asian alone | 561 | 67.4% | 0.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 62 | 59.7% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 9,076 | 74.3% | 3.5% |
| Two or more races | 6,081 | 76.5% | 5.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 14,990 | 76.6% | 4.8% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 45,216 | 55.2% | 3.6% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 43,432 | 79.6% | 3.7% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 21,984 | 84.4% | 4.3% |
| Female | 21,448 | 74.7% | 3.0% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 7,781 | 76.9% | 3.6% |
| With own children under 6 only | 1,710 | 69.9% | 1.1% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 1,657 | 73.3% | 1.8% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 4,414 | 80.9% | 5.0% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 3,491 | 39.7% | 15.6% |
| At or above the poverty level | 39,716 | 83.5% | 3.2% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 6,267 | 56.5% | 5.2% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 38,917 | 79.3% | 3.1% |
| Less than high school graduate | 6,209 | 75.7% | 6.3% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 8,682 | 76.7% | 2.4% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 12,585 | 78.1% | 2.8% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11,441 | 84.6% | 2.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, expressed or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.