May 2025 highlights
In May, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 4.4%, up from % 4.1 in April. Total nonfarm employment increased by 600 jobs since April. Jobs affected by the Guemes Island ferry can recover as the ferry is now back in service after being down for 3 months.
Summary
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.4% in May 2025, up from 4.1% in April 2025 and below 4.8% in May 2024. Skagit County’s labor force contracted 1,488 workers in May to 57,734 workers; the contraction follows last month’s contraction of 1,601 workers. Total nonfarm employment, at 52,000 jobs, increased by 600 jobs since April, however,1,200 jobs were lost over the year.
Location
Skagit County, located in northwest Washington, is situated between Whatcom County to the north and Snohomish County to the south. The Salish Sea lies to the west and the Cascade Mountains rise to the east. The Skagit River runs through the largest population centers of the county. Although most of Skagit County is continental, it includes several islands in the Salish Sea.
Skagit County ranges in elevation from sea level to a high point of 9,114 feet at the non-volcanic peak, Mount Buckner. Glacier Peak, located in neighboring Snohomish County, is noted by the U.S. Geologic Survey as one of the most active and explosive of Washington's volcanoes. Glacier Peak shaped the geography of the Skagit River valley through tremendous mud and debris flows (lahars) that at times traveled over 100 miles to reach the Salish Sea.
Skagit County is synonymous with the Mount Vernon-Anacortes Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and 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
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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.4% in May 2025, up from 4.1% in April 2025 and below 4.8% in May 2024.
- The labor force has decreased by 1,488 workers since May 2024. The May 2025 estimate is 57,734 workers.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment
- Total nonfarm employment was 52,000 jobs in May 2025. Employment increased by 600 jobs from April 2025 to May 2025 but was 1,200 jobs under the May 2024 estimate.
- Mining, logging and construction has gained 200 jobs since April. However, the count was 1,600 jobs less compared to last year.
- Manufacturing was unchanged from April and was 500 jobs above last year
- Private service providing was down 100 jobs over the year but was up 300 jobs over the month.
- Retail trade was unchanged compared to April 2025 and was down 300 jobs from May 2024.
- Leisure and hospitality shed 200 jobs compared to May 2024. However, 300 jobs were gained since April.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Skagit 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 | 52,000 | 51,400 | 53,200 | 600 | -1,200 | -2.3% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 39,000 | 38,500 | 40,300 | 500 | -1,300 | -3.2% |
| Goods-producing | 9,700 | 9,500 | 10,900 | 200 | -1,200 | -11.0% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 3,100 | 2,900 | 4,700 | 200 | -1,600 | -34.0% |
| - Manufacturing | 6,600 | 6,600 | 6,200 | 0 | 400 | 6.5% |
| Service-providing | 42,300 | 41,900 | 42,300 | 400 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Trade, transportation, and utilities | 9,800 | 9,800 | 9,800 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Retail trade | 6,400 | 6,400 | 6,700 | 0 | -300 | -4.5% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 5,100 | 4,800 | 5,300 | 300 | -200 | -3.8% |
| - Government | 13,000 | 12,900 | 12,900 | 100 | 100 | 0.8% |
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, Skagit County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Average annual covered employment in Skagit County was 52,445 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:
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Government (11,982)
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Retail trade (6,747)
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Manufacturing (5,732)
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Health care and social assistance (5,265)
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Accommodation and food services (4,439)
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 Skagit County was $61,702 in 2023.
Top sectors in terms of wage in 2023:
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Utilities ($127,119)
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Management of companies and enterprises ($95,500)
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Professional, scientific, and technical services ($84,279)
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Finance and insurance ($82,164)
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Information ($82,158)
Workforce demographics in Skagit County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 106,270 | 58.5% | 4.9% |
| 16 to 19 years | 6,069 | 45.4% | 14.1% |
| 20 to 24 years | 6,705 | 82.0% | 9.0% |
| 25 to 29 years | 8,033 | 83.0% | 3.7% |
| 30 to 34 years | 8,237 | 81.3% | 3.4% |
| 35 to 44 years | 16,398 | 81.6% | 5.5% |
| 45 to 54 years | 14,546 | 82.4% | 3.2% |
| 55 to 59 years | 8,206 | 71.5% | 2.8% |
| 60 to 64 years | 9,266 | 52.1% | 3.4% |
| 65 to 74 years | 17,301 | 22.4% | 5.1% |
| 75 years and over | 11,509 | 5.7% | 3.3% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 84,489 | 55.7% | 4.2% |
| Black or African American alone | 978 | 68.3% | 3.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 1,532 | 68.3% | 12.3% |
| Asian alone | 2,323 | 61.0% | 1.6% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 258 | 86.8% | 13.8% |
| Some other race alone | 9,011 | 74.7% | 5.9% |
| Two or more races | 7,679 | 65.9% | 8.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 16,426 | 73.4% | 8.1% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 80,165 | 54.8% | 4.0% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 71,391 | 76.9% | 4.4% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 35,940 | 82.6% | 4.8% |
| Female | 35,451 | 71.2% | 3.9% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 12,657 | 70.0% | 3.1% |
| With own children under 6 only | 3,368 | 59.2% | 3.6% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 2,183 | 60.9% | 3.1% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 7,106 | 77.9% | 2.9% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 8,121 | 45.4% | 21.3% |
| At or above the poverty level | 62,877 | 81.4% | 3.1% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 8,724 | 45.9% | 10.7% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 64,686 | 76.4% | 3.9% |
| Less than high school graduate | 6,643 | 70.5% | 6.0% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 17,503 | 75.4% | 4.0% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 23,011 | 72.8% | 4.8% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17,529 | 84.5% | 2.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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