May 2025 highlights
In May, the not seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate decreased from 4.7% to 4.5%. Total nonfarm employment increased by 90 jobs in Okanogan County from May 2024.
Summary
Okanogan County’s labor supply is 18,754 workers with a not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.5%. Total nonfarm employment during May 2025 was 13,810 jobs, an increase of 90 jobs from May 2024 and an increase of 60 jobs over the month. The government sector makes up the largest industry with an annual average employment of 5,085 jobs out of 17,037 total annual average employment. The county has 1,474 establishments employing workers covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. The population of people ages 16-and-above is 34,281. Okanogan County had an estimated population of 44,942 in 2024, according to the Census, an increase of 6.8% since 2020.
Geography
Okanogan County is in north Washington on the Canadian border east of the midline of the state. The county is the largest of Washington’s counties by land area.
Employment situation for May 2025
Labor force and unemployment
-
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.5% during May 2025, down from 4.7% in May 2024.
-
The labor force decreased by 91 workers from May 2024 to May 2025.
-
The total employed workers decreased by 52 workers from May 2024 to May 2025.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment
-
Total nonfarm employment during May 2025 was 13,810 jobs, an increase of 90 jobs from May 2024 and an increased on 60 jobs over the month.
-
Retail trade decreased 10 jobs from May 2024 and decreased 60 jobs over the month.
-
Leisure and hospitality decreased 50 jobs from May 2024 but was unchanged over the month.
-
Health care and social assistance increased 40 jobs from May 2024 and increased 20 jobs over the month.
-
Government jobs increased by 140 jobs from May 2024 and increased by 60 jobs over the month. The government sector job increase over the year was observed in state government which increased 30 jobs, and local government which increased 110 jobs.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Okanogan 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 | 13,810 | 13,750 | 13,720 | 60 | 90 | 0.7% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 8,370 | 8,370 | 8,420 | 0 | -50 | -0.6% |
| Goods-producing | 1,280 | 1,240 | 1,290 | 40 | -10 | -0.8% |
| - Mining and logging | 80 | 80 | 100 | 0 | -20 | -20.0% |
| - Construction | 610 | 600 | 590 | 10 | 20 | 3.4% |
| - Manufacturing | 580 | 570 | 600 | 10 | -20 | -3.3% |
| Service-providing | 12,540 | 12,510 | 12,430 | 30 | 110 | 0.9% |
| - Wholesale trade | 200 | 200 | 210 | 0 | -10 | -4.8% |
| - Retail trade | 2,030 | 2,090 | 2,040 | -60 | -10 | -0.5% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 240 | 240 | 230 | 0 | 10 | 4.3% |
| - Information | 120 | 130 | 130 | -10 | -10 | -7.7% |
| - Financial activities | 280 | 280 | 290 | 0 | -10 | -3.4% |
| - Professional and business services | 700 | 700 | 720 | 0 | -20 | -2.8% |
| - Private education and health services | 1,790 | 1,780 | 1,760 | 10 | 30 | 1.7% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 1,360 | 1,360 | 1,410 | 0 | -50 | -3.5% |
| - Other services | 350 | 340 | 330 | 10 | 20 | 6.1% |
| - Government | 5,440 | 5,380 | 5,300 | 60 | 140 | 2.6% |
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, Okanogan County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Covered employment, or Quarterly Census of Employment and Wage (QCEW) data, include agricultural and nonagricultural employment and wages for firms, organizations and individuals whose employees are covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. Covered employment generally exceeds 85% of total employment in the state of Washington. Average annual covered employment in 2023 in Okanogan County was 17,037. The average annual wage was $44,955 which was 51.6% of Washington state’s average annual wage of $87,091.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Government (5,085 jobs)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing and hunting (3,614 jobs)
- Retail trade (2,267 jobs)
- Health care and social assistance (1,635 jobs)
- Accommodation and food services (1,138 jobs)
Top sectors in terms of total wages paid in 2023:
- Government ($313.3 million)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing and hunting ($ 111.8 million)
- Retail trade ($81.8 million)
- Health care and social assistance ($78.7 million)
- Accommodation and food services ($28.4 million)
Workforce demographics in Okanogan County
Okanogan County’s 16 and older population was 34,281 in 2023. The labor force participation rate was 56.3% with an average unemployment rate of 4.8%.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Okanogan County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 34,281 | 56.3% | 4.8% |
| 16 to 19 years | 1,644 | 38.9% | 16.4% |
| 20 to 24 years | 2,017 | 81.0% | 7.7% |
| 25 to 29 years | 2,613 | 77.8% | 4.4% |
| 30 to 34 years | 2,370 | 73.8% | 6.9% |
| 35 to 44 years | 4,964 | 83.7% | 4.4% |
| 45 to 54 years | 4,839 | 82.9% | 3.6% |
| 55 to 59 years | 2,742 | 65.9% | 2.2% |
| 60 to 64 years | 3,275 | 47.6% | 5.6% |
| 65 to 74 years | 6,159 | 24.2% | 1.7% |
| 75 years and over | 3,658 | 6.6% | 2.5% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 24,012 | 51.1% | 3.5% |
| Black or African American alone | 693 | 88.0% | 1.5% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 2,800 | 58.3% | 8.0% |
| Asian alone | 181 | 58.0% | 13.3% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 43 | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 2,988 | 78.8% | 8.8% |
| Two or more races | 3,564 | 64.7% | 6.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 5,594 | 75.4% | 5.5% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 23,381 | 51.1% | 3.5% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 22,820 | 74.3% | 4.7% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 11,743 | 80.7% | 5.7% |
| Female | 11,077 | 67.5% | 3.3% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 4,204 | 67.3% | 3.8% |
| With own children under 6 only | 780 | 52.2% | 8.8% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 1,026 | 48.4% | 1.2% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 2,398 | 80.3% | 3.4% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 4,224 | 53.2% | 12.3% |
| At or above the poverty level | 18,455 | 79.6% | 3.5% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 3,111 | 43.0% | 15.8% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 20,803 | 73.6% | 4.3% |
| Less than high school graduate | 3,338 | 69.9% | 5.5% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 6,336 | 71.2% | 5.1% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 6,665 | 73.2% | 4.6% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 4,464 | 80.3% | 2.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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.