May 2025 highlights
In May, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 3.5% from 3.4% in April. Total nonfarm employment increased by 120 jobs compared to April.
Summary
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5% in May 2025, up from 3.4% in April 2025 and down from 3.9% in May 2024. San Juan County’s labor force had an estimated 7,947 workers. Total nonfarm employment was estimated at 6,090 jobs in May 2025. Total nonfarm employment increased by 120 jobs from April to May 2025 and decreased by 40 jobs compared to May 2024.
Location
San Juan County is located in northwest Washington state. It consists of four large islands: San Juan, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw; and hundreds of small islands, reefs and rocks. About 20 islands are inhabited. San Juan County is the smallest county in Washington by total landmass.
San Juan County is located in the Salish Sea to the west of Skagit and Whatcom counties and east of lower Vancouver Island, Canada. The islands are spectacularly scenic and a popular destination for tourists and retirees. People arrive via ferry, private boat and float plane throughout the year with a pronounced uptick in the summer. Tourism-related industries and retirement communities form the base of the San Juan County economy. While the natural beauty and relative isolation of island life supports a vibrant seasonal tourism-based economy, the relative isolation presents a challenge for economic diversification.
San Juan County 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 May 2025
Labor force and unemployment
- The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5% in May 2025, up from 3.4% in April 2025 and down from 3.9% in May 2024.
- The labor force, at 7,947 workers, contracted by 154 workers compared to May 2024 and expanded by 196 workers over the month.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment in San Juan County
- Total nonfarm employment increased by 120 jobs over the month, bringing the total estimated job count to 6,090 jobs in May 2025. Over the year, nonfarm employment was down 40 jobs.
- Construction industry jobs were up 60 jobs over the year and up 10 jobs over the month.
- Service providing industry jobs were down 90 over the year. However, they were up 120 jobs over the month.
- Retail trade industry employment was unchanged since April and was up 70 jobs from May 2024.
- Leisure and hospitality decreased 70 jobs compared to May 2024, but the sector grew by 100 jobs since April.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, San Juan 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 | 6,090 | 5,970 | 6,130 | 120 | -40 | -0.7% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 5,000 | 4,900 | 5,040 | 100 | -40 | -0.8% |
| Goods-producing | 1,050 | 1,040 | 1,000 | 10 | 50 | 5.0% |
| - Mining and logging | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | -10 | -100.0% |
| - Construction | 820 | 810 | 760 | 10 | 60 | 7.9% |
| - Manufacturing | 230 | 220 | 220 | 10 | 10 | 4.5% |
| Service-providing | 5,040 | 4,920 | 5,130 | 120 | -90 | -1.8% |
| - Wholesale trade | 40 | 40 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Retail trade | 830 | 830 | 760 | 0 | 70 | 9.2% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 240 | 240 | 230 | 0 | 10 | 4.3% |
| - Information | 120 | 120 | 130 | 0 | -10 | -7.7% |
| - Financial activities | 300 | 290 | 310 | 10 | -10 | -3.2% |
| - Professional and business services | 650 | 650 | 680 | 0 | -30 | -4.4% |
| - Private education and health services | 390 | 390 | 420 | 0 | -30 | -7.1% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 1,170 | 1,070 | 1,240 | 100 | -70 | -5.6% |
| - Other services | 230 | 230 | 240 | 0 | -10 | -4.2% |
| - Government | 1,090 | 1,070 | 1,090 | 20 | 0 | 0.0% |
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, San Juan County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
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.
Average annual covered employment in San Juan County was 6,126 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:
-
Accommodation and food services (1,022)
-
Government (1,021)
-
Construction (776)
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Retail trade (758)
-
Professional, scientific and technical services (363)
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 San Juan County was $51,918 in 2023.
The top sectors in terms of wage in 2023:
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Management of companies and enterprises ($182,830)
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Utilities ($121,167)
-
Information ($98,439)
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Professional, scientific and technical services ($96,918)
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Wholesale trade ($77,006)
Workforce demographics in San Juan County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 16,243 | 53.4% | 3.1% |
| 16 to 19 years | 557 | 38.1% | 3.3% |
| 20 to 24 years | 589 | 84.6% | 3.2% |
| 25 to 29 years | 730 | 91.2% | 4.6% |
| 30 to 34 years | 829 | 88.2% | 0.7% |
| 35 to 44 years | 1,936 | 77.4% | 5.2% |
| 45 to 54 years | 2,080 | 85.5% | 4.1% |
| 55 to 59 years | 1,345 | 72.5% | 1.9% |
| 60 to 64 years | 1,775 | 55.2% | 2.0% |
| 65 to 74 years | 3,953 | 27.7% | 1.0% |
| 75 years and over | 2,449 | 9.8% | 2.1% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 14,590 | 51.9% | 3.2% |
| Black or African American alone | 31 | 77.4% | 0.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 83 | 59.0% | 0.0% |
| Asian alone | 195 | 37.4% | 4.1% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 45 | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 428 | 75.5% | 0.9% |
| Two or more races | 871 | 66.6% | 2.9% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 1,002 | 74.9% | 5.9% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 14,284 | 51.4% | 2.8% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 9,284 | 76.7% | 3.4% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 4,530 | 82.3% | 4.0% |
| Female | 4,754 | 71.5% | 2.7% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 1,310 | 70.5% | 1.6% |
| With own children under 6 only | 337 | 72.7% | 0.0% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 182 | 72.5% | 9.1% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 791 | 69.0% | 0.5% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 1,082 | 48.3% | 12.0% |
| At or above the poverty level | 8,182 | 80.6% | 2.7% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 792 | 59.7% | 11.0% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 8,695 | 76.2% | 3.4% |
| Less than high school graduate | 538 | 79.9% | 0.0% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 1,720 | 76.0% | 4.5% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 2,286 | 75.1% | 7.4% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 4,151 | 76.4% | 1.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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