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December 2025 highlights
Updated January 2026
Compared to November 2025, the unemployment rate increased from 5.4% to 7.2% (9,053 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 700 fewer jobs on payrolls (for a total of 89,900 jobs).
Yakima County's labor market highlights
- Agriculture remains the powerhouse, supporting over 29,000 jobs, $1.16 billion in wages, and $2.3 billion in annual farm sales across 1.8 million acres.
- Health care and government form the county’s second major employment pillar, each with 18,000+ jobs, providing stability and strong wage growth.
- Earnings are rising, with the average annual wage reaching $52,105 and total payroll surpassing $6 billion in 2024.
- Manufacturing and retail remain essential, with nearly 8,000 manufacturing jobs and 11,000+ retail positions, reinforcing Yakima’s diverse employment base.
- Workforce development and diversification efforts are accelerating, from agribusiness innovation to tourism expansion, helping sustain the county’s long‑term economic momentum.
Contact Yakima County's labor economist
Ajsa Suljic, South central / Southeast region
- Email Ajsa: ajsa.suljic@esd.wa.gov
- Call Ajsa: 509-734-5928
Yakima County is part of the South Central Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Yakima County is known as the Yakima MSA.
Employment updates for December 2025
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The December 2025 unemployment rate is 7.2% in Yakima County, 5.3% in Washington state and 4.1% in the United States.
| Yakima County unemployment rate | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 126,049 | 129,324 | 118,941 |
| Employed persons | 116,996 | 122,357 | 109,875 |
| Persons seeking work | 9,053 | 6,967 | 9,066 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.2% | 5.4% | 7.6% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Yakima County unemployment rate, 2023 to 2025
As of September 2025, Yakima County’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.2%, driven by a surge in hiring as the region moved through the tail end of its peak agricultural season. The sharp month‑to‑month jump in employment reflects Yakima’s unique labor cycle, where harvest activity and food‑processing demand pull thousands of workers into the job market each fall. Compared to last year, the county shows steady, broad‑based improvement. This pattern points to a labor market that’s stabilizing after several volatile seasons, still shaped by agriculture’s ebb and flow, but supported by growing strength in health care, government and manufacturing. Yakima’s blend of seasonal momentum and long‑term diversification continues to set it apart from other regions.
|
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8.2% |
7.8% |
6.4% |
4.9% |
4.3% |
3.5% |
4.2% |
5.3% |
4.2% |
5.0% |
5.7% |
8.0% |
|
7.9% |
8.1% |
7.0% |
5.7% |
5.8% |
4.7% |
5.4% |
6.0% |
4.5% |
4.8% |
6.1% |
7.6% |
|
7.6% |
7.8% |
6.3% |
5.3% |
5.6% |
4.4% |
5.4% |
5.4% |
4.2% |
5.4% |
7.2% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Key changes in payroll employment
This includes all employees with paid positions tracked in a company’s payroll system. This doesn’t include persons working outside of formal payroll such as freelancers, contractors and self-employed individuals. Numbers in this section are estimates generated by a monthly survey.
In December 2025, Yakima County has 89,900 jobs.
One month ago, in November 2025 there were 700 more jobs (90,600 in total).
Compared to that month, in December there are:
- 100 fewer jobs in Goods‑producing industries, driven entirely by losses in manufacturing.
- 600 fewer jobs in Service‑providing industries, the largest contributor to the overall monthly decline.
- 500 fewer jobs in Government employment, marking the single largest sector drop of the month.
- Other noteworthy job changes occurred in Retail trade (+100 jobs) and Health care and social assistance (+100 jobs).
In December 2024 there were 900 fewer jobs (89,000 in total.)
Compared to that month, this December there are:
- 400 (3.4%) more jobs in Goods‑producing industries, including 300 more jobs in mining, logging, and construction and with 100 more jobs in manufacturing.
- 400 (2.0%) more jobs in Trade, transportation, and utilities, reflecting broad‑based annual expansion, lead by 200 more jobs in Retail trade, signaling stronger consumer activity over the year and 100 more jobs in Transportation and warehousing, utilities, continuing steady growth.
- 100 (2.0%) more jobs in Professional and business services, indicating rising demand for technical and administrative services.
- 500 (2.5%) more jobs in Private education and health services, entirely driven by a 500-job increase in health care and social assistance.
- Other noteworthy job changes occurred in Leisure and hospitality (-200 jobs or -2.4%), Food services and drinking places (-300 jobs or -4.5%), and Government employment (-700 jobs or -3.8%), including -100 jobs in the federal government, -200 jobs in state government, and -400 jobs in local government.
Employment estimates for Yakima Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
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 | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 89,900 | 90,600 | 89,000 | -700 | 900 | 1.0% |
| - Private | 72,000 | 72,200 | 70,400 | -200 | 1,600 | 2.3% |
| - Government | 17,900 | 18,400 | 18,600 | -500 | -700 | -3.8% |
Goods-producing jobs
| Industry | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goods-producing | 12,000 | 12,100 | 11,600 | -100 | 400 | 3.4% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 4,400 | 4,400 | 4,100 | 0 | 300 | 7.3% |
| - Manufacturing | 7,600 | 7,700 | 7,500 | -100 | 100 | 1.3% |
Service-providing jobs
| Industry | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service-providing | 77,900 | 78,500 | 77,400 | -600 | 500 | 0.6% |
| - Wholesale trade | 4,300 | 4,300 | 4,200 | 0 | 100 | 2.4% |
| - Retail trade | 11,700 | 11,600 | 11,500 | 100 | 200 | 1.7% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 4,100 | 4,200 | 4,000 | -100 | 100 | 2.5% |
| - Professional and business services | 5,000 | 5,100 | 4,900 | -100 | 100 | 2.0% |
| - Private education and health services | 20,900 | 20,900 | 20,400 | 0 | 500 | 2.5% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 8,200 | 8,200 | 8,400 | 0 | -200 | -2.4% |
| - Government | 17,900 | 18,400 | 18,600 | -500 | -700 | -3.8% |
Note: Data benchmarked through June 2025, updated January 16, 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 the latest Quarterly Census of Employment and Wage (QCEW) annual averages 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
2024’s annual average was 116,553 total covered employees.
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting - 29,212 jobs.
- Government - 18,825 jobs.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 18,432 jobs.
- Retail trade - 11,113 jobs.
- Manufacturing - 7,853 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2024’s annual average wage was $52,105 for covered employees.
- Mining - $131,070.
- Utilities - $121,313.
- Management of companies and enterprises - $96,320.
- Finance and insurance - $84,879.
- Wholesale trade - $74,237.
2024 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Workforce demographics in Yakima County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 189,744 | 62.6% | 7.1% |
| 16 to 19 years | 15,556 | 38.3% | 20.6% |
| 20 to 24 years | 17,088 | 74.9% | 12.1% |
| 25 to 29 years | 17,719 | 81.9% | 7.9% |
| 30 to 34 years | 16,943 | 78.1% | 7.0% |
| 35 to 44 years | 31,019 | 83.3% | 3.9% |
| 45 to 54 years | 27,508 | 79.7% | 5.5% |
| 55 to 59 years | 13,716 | 72.2% | 5.5% |
| 60 to 64 years | 13,573 | 60.2% | 2.9% |
| 65 to 74 years | 21,789 | 25.3% | 8.9% |
| 75 years and over | 14,833 | 5.9% | 10.3% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 107,143 | 57.9% | 4.4% |
| Black or African American alone | 1,629 | 61.6% | 6.6% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 6,240 | 52.0% | 11.0% |
| Asian alone | 2,526 | 60.8% | 0.9% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 705 | 67.9% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 33,722 | 70.3% | 11.4% |
| Two or more races | 37,779 | 70.7% | 9.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 86,926 | 70.7% | 9.4% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 87,055 | 55.4% | 4.1% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 137,566 | 77.3% | 6.2% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 69,542 | 82.1% | 5.4% |
| Female | 68,024 | 72.5% | 7.1% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 27,414 | 74.1% | 7.3% |
| With own children under 6 only | 5,012 | 72.0% | 8.1% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 7,968 | 69.8% | 6.9% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 14,434 | 77.3% | 7.2% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 18,008 | 44.8% | 20.3% |
| At or above the poverty level | 118,378 | 83.0% | 5.1% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 16,780 | 39.3% | 9.5% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 120,478 | 77.7% | 5.4% |
| Less than high school graduate | 29,311 | 71.8% | 8.4% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 36,171 | 75.7% | 5.7% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 32,854 | 77.8% | 5.6% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22,142 | 88.4% | 1.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 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.