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September 2026 highlights
Updated October 2026
Compared to August 2026, the unemployment rate decreased from 5.6% to 4.3% (1,476 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 290 more jobs on payrolls (for a total of 27,350 jobs).
Lewis County's labor market highlights
- Lewis County is a gateway between the lumber producing regions of western Washington and major transportation routes. As such, wood product manufacturing is a major industry, accounting for about 1,500 of the county's 3,000 manufacturing jobs.
- Other major industries include government, health care and social assistance, retail trade and accommodation and food services.
- Employment in wholesale trade increased dramatically after the Covid-19 pandemic, nearly doubling from 2019 to 2024.
Contact Lewis County's labor economist
Emily Robertson, Southwest coastal region
- Email Emily: emily.robertson@esd.wa.gov
- Call Emily: 360-463-7813
Lewis County is part of the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Lewis County is known as the Centralia MSA.
Employment updates for September 2026
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The September 2026 unemployment rate was 4.3% in Lewis County, 4.3% in Washington state and 4.0% in the United States.
| Measure | September 2026 | August 2026 | September 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 33,964 | 34,302 | 34,233 |
| Employed persons | 32,488 | 32,382 | 32,634 |
| Persons seeking work | 1,476 | 1,920 | 1,599 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% | 5.6% | 4.7% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Lewis County unemployment rate, January 2024 - September 2026
Lewis County's unemployment rate fluctuates throughout the year, but tends to be consistently higher than the statewide rate.
| Year | Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6.7% | 7.0% | 6.3% | 5.1% | 5.5% | 4.7% | 5.7% | 5.7% | 4.5% | 5.0% | 5.6% | 5.9% |
|
6.1% | 6.9% | 5.8% | 5.2% | 5.3% | 4.4% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 4.7% | N/A | 6.0% | 6.6% |
|
6.4% | 6.5% | 6.4% | 6.3% | 6.0% | 5.4% | 4.6% | 5.6% | 4.3% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS). BLS canceled October 2025's unemployment publications.
Key changes in payroll employment
This includes all employees with paid positions tracked in a company’s payroll system. This doesn’t include agriculture jobs or jobs outside of formal payroll such as freelancers, contractors and self-employed individuals. Numbers in this section are estimates generated by a monthly survey.
In September 2026, Lewis County had 27,350 jobs.
Compared with August 2026, September employment increased by 290 jobs.
- 210 more government jobs. These primarily occurred in state government education.
- 70 more transportation, warehousing, and utilities jobs.
- 70 more leisure and hospitality jobs.
- 90 fewer professional and business services jobs.
Compared with September 2025, this September’s employment was up by 50 (0.2%) jobs.
- 140 (3.0%) more government jobs.
- 60 (4.1%) more professional and business services jobs.
- 80 (2.9%) fewer leisure and hospitality jobs.
- 70 (4.8%) fewer construction jobs.
Employment estimates for Lewis County
See a snapshot of this month's data below. A detailed spreadsheet titled Current employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted is on the source page of our site.
Total jobs
| Industry sector | Sep. 2026 | Aug. 2026 | Sep. 2025 | Aug. 2026 to Sep. 2026 |
Sep. 2025 to Sep. 2026 |
Sep. 2025 to Sep. 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 27,350 | 27,060 | 27,300 | 290 | 50 | 0.2% |
| - Private | 22,570 | 22,490 | 22,650 | 80 | -80 | -0.4% |
| - Government | 4,780 | 4,570 | 4,640 | 210 | 140 | 3.0% |
Goods-producing jobs
| Industry sector | Sep. 2026 | Aug. 2026 | Sep. 2025 | Aug. 2026 to Sep. 2026 |
Sep. 2025 to Sep. 2026 |
Sep. 2025 to Sep. 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goods-producing | 5,270 | 5,210 | 5,380 | 60 | -110 | -2.0% |
| - Mining and logging | 470 | 450 | 450 | 20 | 20 | 4.4% |
| - Construction | 1,400 | 1,370 | 1,470 | 30 | -70 | -4.8% |
| - Manufacturing | 3,410 | 3,400 | 3,460 | 10 | -50 | -1.4% |
Service-providing jobs
| Industry sector | Sep. 2026 | Aug. 2026 | Sep. 2025 | Aug. 2026 to Sep. 2026 |
Sep. 2025 to Sep. 2026 |
Sep. 2025 to Sep. 2026 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service-providing | 22,080 | 21,850 | 21,910 | 230 | 170 | 0.8% |
| - Wholesale trade | 1,320 | 1,310 | 1,290 | 10 | 30 | 2.3% |
| - Retail trade | 3,830 | 3,800 | 3,800 | 30 | 30 | 0.8% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 1,580 | 1,510 | 1,600 | 70 | -20 | -1.3% |
| - Information | 180 | 180 | 170 | 0 | 10 | 5.9% |
| - Financial activities | 690 | 700 | 700 | -10 | -10 | -1.4% |
| - Professional and business services | 1,540 | 1,630 | 1,480 | -90 | 60 | 4.1% |
| - Private education and health services | 4,730 | 4,730 | 4,740 | 0 | -10 | -0.2% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 2,720 | 2,650 | 2,800 | 70 | -80 | -2.9% |
| - Other services | 700 | 780 | 680 | -80 | 20 | 2.9% |
| - Government | 4,780 | 4,570 | 4,640 | 210 | 140 | 3.0% |
Note: Data benchmarked through March 2026, updated October 14, 2026. The current month’s data is preliminary. Analysts continue to refine past months as more related information becomes available. Industry columns use North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) industry titles. Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Employment details for industries and sectors
This profile section uses Quarterly Census of Employment and Wage (QCEW) data.
This quarterly census data includes both agricultural and nonagricultural employment and wages for firms, organizations and individuals with employees covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. Covered employment refers to the total number of employees with this type of coverage.
Top sectors by employment
2025’s annual average was 27,412 total covered employees.
- Government - 4,854 jobs.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 4,326 jobs.
- Retail trade - 3,780 jobs.
- Manufacturing - 3,413 jobs.
- Accommodation and food services - 2,466 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2025’s annual average wage was $60,825 for covered employees.
- Utilities - $146,993.
- Mining - $83,936.
- Wholesale trade - $79,791.
- Finance and insurance - $76,173.
- Information - $74,938.
2025 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Workforce demographics for Lewis County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 68,894 | 55.8% | 5.3% |
| 16 to 19 years | 3,855 | 42.1% | 17.2% |
| 20 to 24 years | 4,248 | 77.2% | 11.9% |
| 25 to 29 years | 4,963 | 76.4% | 6.2% |
| 30 to 34 years | 5,301 | 80.7% | 4.3% |
| 35 to 44 years | 10,626 | 72.5% | 4.4% |
| 45 to 54 years | 9,936 | 77.6% | 3.6% |
| 55 to 59 years | 5,158 | 65.7% | 2.9% |
| 60 to 64 years | 6,596 | 58.8% | 4.5% |
| 65 to 74 years | 10,930 | 21.5% | 2.7% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 58,309 | 55.0% | 5.3% |
| Black or African American alone | 514 | 51.8% | 1.1% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 935 | 46.1% | 8.4% |
| Asian alone | 847 | 71.5% | 6.6% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone | 192 | 52.1% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 2,040 | 60.3% | 0.0% |
| Two or more races | 6,057 | 62.0% | 7.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 6,336 | 67.9% | 5.3% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 57,075 | 54.5% | 5.2% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 46,828 | 72.7% | 5.0% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 23,637 | 78.5% | 5.7% |
| Female | 23,191 | 66.8% | 4.1% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 years | 7,916 | 69.8% | 3.9% |
| With own children under 6 years only | 1,510 | 62.9% | 9.8% |
| With own children under 6 years and 6 to 17 years | 2,081 | 60.5% | 1.3% |
| With own children 6 to 17 years only | 4,325 | 76.6% | 3.2% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 5,763 | 38.5% | 22.0% |
| At or above the poverty level | 40,941 | 77.7% | 3.8% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 7,994 | 43.0% | 12.6% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate |
Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 42,580 | 72.2% | 4.2% |
| Less than high school graduate | 3,807 | 60.4% | 7.1% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 13,404 | 64.8% | 6.4% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 16,125 | 74.8% | 3.5% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9,244 | 83.4% | 2.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2024: ACS 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status.
Funding
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.