Chelan County profile

- Posted April 2025

March 2025 Highlights

In March, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 5.4% to 4.7% over the year and total nonfarm employment increased by 1,600 jobs over the year.

Summary

Chelan County’s labor supply was 38,039 workers as of March 2025, with a not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.7%. Total nonfarm employment in the Wenatchee metropolitan district was 49,100 jobs in March 2025, an increase of 1,600 jobs from March 2024, and an increase of 500 jobs from February 2025. Agriculture, forestry and fishing make up the largest industry sector with an annual average employment of 8,187 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 fruits, tree nuts and berries. 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.

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 March 2025

Labor force and unemployment

• The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.7% in March 2025, down from 5.4 % March 2024.

• The March 2025 labor force of 38,039 workers decreased by 1,605 from March 2024.

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

• Total nonfarm employment was 49,100 jobs in March 2025, an increase of 500 jobs from February 2025, and an increase of 1,600 jobs from March 2024.

• Retail trade, at 6,300 jobs, was up 100 jobs from March 2024 and was unchanged from February 2025.

• Leisure and hospitality increased by 500 jobs from March 2024 and increased 100 jobs from February 2025.

• Manufacturing at 2,900 jobs increased by 200 jobs from March 2024 to March 2025 and was unchanged from February 2025.

Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Wenatchee MSA

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.

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

Race or Hispanic origin

Sex

Females with children

Poverty status in the past 12 months

Disability status

Educational attainment

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status

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