Spokane County profile

Learn about Spokane County's unique labor market information and more.

Posted June 2025

May 2025 highlights

In May, the not seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate increased from 3.7% to 3.9%. Total nonfarm employment decreased by 1,700 jobs in the Spokane-Spokane Valley MSA from May 2024.

Summary

Spokane County is in the northeast region of Washington state. About 555,947 people live in the county and the largest demographic is people 25-to-34-years of age. The City of Spokane is the second-largest city in Washington and serves as the business, transportation, medical, industrial, and cultural hub of the Inland Northwest.

Spokane County was created in 1858 and became a regional hub for mining, timber, and railroads in the 1870s. Historically, Spokane's economy has been shaped by its role as a regional service center for Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. Major sectors are government, higher education, medical services, retail trade, and finance. Fairchild Air Force Base is the largest employer in the county.

The private sector has seen significant job increases over the past few years. Key industries with growth are transportation and warehousing, advanced manufacturing, health services, professional and business services, and finance and insurance.

Some recent developments include a health sciences campus, Amazon fulfillment centers, and biotechnology firms. Spokane is attracting investments from tourism, conventions, military, and research, supporting a diversified economy.

There were around 14,279 firms demanding labor in the county with 241,636 jobs filled by workers in 2023. Spokane County averaged about 262,245 people in the labor force in 2024, with a 4.5% unemployment rate. Spokane is part of the Spokane-Spokane Valley Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which also includes Stevens County.

Spokane County geographic overview

A dark blue map of Washington state with Spokane County highlighted in orange.

 

Spokane County is in eastern Washington and shares its eastern border with Idaho. Spokane is both the county seat and the largest city in Spokane County.

The county covers 1,764 square miles, including 17 square miles of water. Its landscape features a mix of urban areas, suburban developments, and beautiful natural settings, including rivers, lakes, and parks.

Spokane County was created out of Walla Walla County in 1858 and derives its name from the Spokane tribe.

Washington has 12 regional Workforce Development Areas. Spokane County is part of Area 12, the Spokane Workforce Development Area. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the workforce regions.

Spokane County employment situation for May 2025  

Monthly labor force and unemployment

  • The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.9% during May 2025, down from 4.1% in May 2024.
  • The labor force decreased by 12,093 workers from May 2024 to May 2025.
  • The total employed workers decreased by 11,167 workers from May 2024 to May 2025.

Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted

A chart showing the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the United States, Washington and Spokane County from January 2014 to May 2025.

Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics  

Monthly nonfarm payroll employment in Spokane - Spokane Valley MSA

  • As of May 2025, total nonfarm employment in Spokane-Spokane Valley MSA was 268,500 jobs, with a decreased of 2,000 jobs over the month and a decrease of 1,700 jobs from May 2024. Private sectors, totaling 225,000 jobs, saw a decrease of 1,900 jobs over the month, and a decrease of 2,000 jobs from May 2024 to May 2025.

  • Goods producing sectors, with 32,500 jobs, increased by 200 jobs over the month but decreased by 1,600 jobs from May 2024.
    • Mining, logging, and construction, with 15,800 jobs, increased by 200 jobs over the month, and decreased by 600 jobs over the year.
    • Manufacturing, with 16,700 jobs, remained unchanged over the month but decreased by 1,000 jobs over the year.
  • Service providing sectors, with 236,000 jobs, decreased by 2,200 jobs over the month and decreased by 100 jobs from May 2024.
    • Trade, transportation, and utilities, with 50,800 jobs, increased by 400 jobs over the month but decreased by 300 jobs from May 2024.
    • The financial activities sector, with 13,400 jobs, decreased by 100 jobs over the month and decreased by 600 jobs over the year.
    • Professional and business services, with 27,800 jobs, decreased by 300 jobs over the month and decreased by 2,400 jobs over the year.
    • Private education and health services, with 60,000 jobs, was unchanged over the month and increased by 1,100 jobs over the year.
    • Leisure and hospitality industry, with 25,500 jobs, increased by 200 jobs over the month, but decreased by 800 jobs over the year.
  • Government services, including public educational services totaled 43,500 jobs, decreased by 100 jobs over the month but increased by 300 jobs from May 2024.
    • The largest gain was in local government, which added 600 jobs over the year.

Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Spokane - Spokane Valley 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
NAICS Industry Title Total nonfarm May 2025 (Prelim) 268,500 Apr 2025 (Revised) 270,500 May 2024 (Revised) 270,200 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change -2,000 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -1,700 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -0.6%
NAICS Industry Title Total private (total nonfarm less government) May 2025 (Prelim) 225,000 Apr 2025 (Revised) 226,900 May 2024 (Revised) 227,000 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change -1,900 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -2,000 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -0.9%
NAICS Industry Title Goods-producing May 2025 (Prelim) 32,500 Apr 2025 (Revised) 32,300 May 2024 (Revised) 34,100 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 200 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -1,600 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -4.7%
NAICS Industry Title - Mining, logging and construction May 2025 (Prelim) 15,800 Apr 2025 (Revised) 15,600 May 2024 (Revised) 16,400 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 200 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -600 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -3.7%
NAICS Industry Title - Manufacturing May 2025 (Prelim) 16,700 Apr 2025 (Revised) 16,700 May 2024 (Revised) 17,700 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 0 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -1,000 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -5.6%
NAICS Industry Title Service-providing May 2025 (Prelim) 236,000 Apr 2025 (Revised) 238,200 May 2024 (Revised) 236,100 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change -2,200 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -100 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change 0.0%
NAICS Industry Title - Wholesale trade May 2025 (Prelim) 12,000 Apr 2025 (Revised) 11,800 May 2024 (Revised) 11,400 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 200 May 2024 to May 2025 Change 600 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change 5.3%
NAICS Industry Title - Retail trade May 2025 (Prelim) 27,600 Apr 2025 (Revised) 27,500 May 2024 (Revised) 28,100 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 100 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -500 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -1.8%
NAICS Industry Title - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities May 2025 (Prelim) 11,200 Apr 2025 (Revised) 11,100 May 2024 (Revised) 11,600 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 100 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -400 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -3.4%
NAICS Industry Title - Information May 2025 (Prelim) 2,400 Apr 2025 (Revised) 2,800 May 2024 (Revised) 3,100 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change -400 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -700 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -22.6%
NAICS Industry Title - Financial activities May 2025 (Prelim) 13,400 Apr 2025 (Revised) 13,500 May 2024 (Revised) 14,000 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change -100 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -600 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -4.3%
NAICS Industry Title - Professional and business services May 2025 (Prelim) 27,800 Apr 2025 (Revised) 28,100 May 2024 (Revised) 30,200 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change -300 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -2,400 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -7.9%
NAICS Industry Title - Private education and health services May 2025 (Prelim) 60,000 Apr 2025 (Revised) 60,000 May 2024 (Revised) 58,900 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 0 May 2024 to May 2025 Change 1,100 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change 1.9%
NAICS Industry Title - Leisure and hospitality May 2025 (Prelim) 25,500 Apr 2025 (Revised) 25,300 May 2024 (Revised) 26,300 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 200 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -800 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -3.0%
NAICS Industry Title - Other services May 2025 (Prelim) 9,400 Apr 2025 (Revised) 9,400 May 2024 (Revised) 9,500 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 0 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -100 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -1.1%
NAICS Industry Title - Government May 2025 (Prelim) 43,500 Apr 2025 (Revised) 43,600 May 2024 (Revised) 43,200 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change -100 May 2024 to May 2025 Change 300 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change 0.7%

Note: Data benchmarked through December 2024updated 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.

Total covered employment

Employment by industry, Spokane County 2023 annual average

A bar graph showing the 2023 annual average industry employment in Spokane County.

Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)

The average annual covered employment in Spokane County was 241,636 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.

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 Spokane County was $62,390 in 2023.

Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:

  • Health care and social assistance (45,871)
  • Government (35,893)
  • Retail trade (26,469)
  • Accommodation and food services (20,672)
  • Manufacturing (16,477)

Top industry sectors in terms of wages in 2023:

  • Other industries ($169,577)
  • Management of companies and enterprises ($116,879)
  • Utilities ($112,534)
  • Finance and insurance ($104,227)
  • Mining ($99,449) 

Workforce demographics in Spokane County

The labor force participation rate is highest among the 25 to 29 years age group at 83.7%, while the 65 to 74 age group has the lowest at 22.7%. Participation rate for labor force prime working population 20 to 64 years of age was 76.7%.

Male workers have a slightly higher participation rate (80.7%) compared to female workers (72.7%). Those with a bachelor’s degree or higher have the highest participation rate at 85.6%, while people with less than a high school diploma have the lowest at 54.7%.

Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Spokane County.

Age

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Demographic characteristic Population 16 years and over Total 438,738 Labor force participation rate 61.8% Unemployment rate 5.7%
Demographic characteristic 16 to 19 years Total 26,511 Labor force participation rate 42.3% Unemployment rate 18.2%
Demographic characteristic 20 to 24 years Total 35,080 Labor force participation rate 77.1% Unemployment rate 8.7%
Demographic characteristic 25 to 29 years Total 39,888 Labor force participation rate 83.7% Unemployment rate 7.4%
Demographic characteristic 30 to 34 years Total 41,186 Labor force participation rate 80.7% Unemployment rate 5.4%
Demographic characteristic 35 to 44 years Total 72,388 Labor force participation rate 81.3% Unemployment rate 5.0%
Demographic characteristic 45 to 54 years Total 63,071 Labor force participation rate 78.9% Unemployment rate 4.3%
Demographic characteristic 55 to 59 years Total 31,083 Labor force participation rate 71.7% Unemployment rate 3.1%
Demographic characteristic 60 to 64 years Total 36,976 Labor force participation rate 56.1% Unemployment rate 2.4%
Demographic characteristic 65 to 74 years Total 56,730 Labor force participation rate 22.7% Unemployment rate 4.4%
Demographic characteristic 75 years and over Total 35,825 Labor force participation rate 5.0% Unemployment rate 6.4%

Race or Hispanic origin

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Demographic characteristic White alone Total 375,112 Labor force participation rate 61.3% Unemployment rate 5.3%
Demographic characteristic Black or African American alone Total 8,613 Labor force participation rate 66.7% Unemployment rate 12.3%
Demographic characteristic American Indian and Alaska Native alone Total 4,504 Labor force participation rate 56.8% Unemployment rate 14.0%
Demographic characteristic Asian alone Total 10,000 Labor force participation rate 62.7% Unemployment rate 4.2%
Demographic characteristic Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone Total 2,491 Labor force participation rate 67.0% Unemployment rate 6.4%
Demographic characteristic Some other race alone Total 8,653 Labor force participation rate 71.4% Unemployment rate 6.6%
Demographic characteristic Two or more races Total 29,365 Labor force participation rate 64.6% Unemployment rate 8.3%
Demographic characteristic Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) Total 26,166 Labor force participation rate 69.0% Unemployment rate 6.1%
Demographic characteristic White alone, not Hispanic or Latino Total 367,058 Labor force participation rate 61.1% Unemployment rate 5.3%
Demographic characteristic Population 20 to 64 years Total 319,672 Labor force participation rate 76.7% Unemployment rate 5.2%

Sex

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Demographic characteristic Male Total 161,744 Labor force participation rate 80.7% Unemployment rate 5.8%
Demographic characteristic Female Total 157,928 Labor force participation rate 72.7% Unemployment rate 4.6%

Females with children

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Demographic characteristic With own children under 18 Total 52,115 Labor force participation rate 74.2% Unemployment rate 5.0%
Demographic characteristic With own children under 6 only Total 11,439 Labor force participation rate 67.8% Unemployment rate 7.2%
Demographic characteristic With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 Total 11,370 Labor force participation rate 65.9% Unemployment rate 7.8%
Demographic characteristic With own children 6 to 17 only Total 29,306 Labor force participation rate 79.9% Unemployment rate 3.4%

Poverty status in the past 12 months

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Demographic characteristic Below poverty level Total 39,291 Labor force participation rate 43.6% Unemployment rate 26.2%
Demographic characteristic At or above the poverty level Total 274,815 Labor force participation rate 82.6% Unemployment rate 3.6%

Disability status

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Demographic characteristic With any disability Total 43,472 Labor force participation rate 44.3% Unemployment rate 11.1%

Educational attainment

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Demographic characteristic Population 25 to 64 years Total 284,592 Labor force participation rate 76.7% Unemployment rate 4.8%
Demographic characteristic Less than high school graduate Total 15,934 Labor force participation rate 54.7% Unemployment rate 11.9%
Demographic characteristic High school graduate (includes equivalency) Total 68,014 Labor force participation rate 71.8% Unemployment rate 5.9%
Demographic characteristic Some college or associate's degree Total 109,627 Labor force participation rate 75.5% Unemployment rate 5.4%
Demographic characteristic Bachelor's degree or higher Total 91,017 Labor force participation rate 85.6% Unemployment rate 2.7%

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

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