County profiles
This profile gives details about Washington state's labor economy. You can learn about each of Washington's counties in their individual profiles.
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December 2025 state highlights
Updated January 2026
Compared to November 2025, the unemployment rate increased from 4.9% to 5.3% (214,714 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 2,300 fewer jobs on payrolls (for a total of 3,636,300 jobs).
Washington's labor market highlights
- The last several years have been interesting. Washington lost 430,000 jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic recession but rebounded quickly, along with the nation.
- Total nonfarm employment reached pre-pandemic levels by summer 2022. Within that, some industries, such as information, recovered within months of the crisis. Others, such as manufacturing, remain below pre-pandemic employment levels five years later.
- The relatively quick jobs recovery led to an exceptionally tight labor market in 2021-2022 as employer demand surged and labor market participation only partially recovered. 2023 and 2024 marked a turning point.
- The high employment growth characterizing the Covid recovery slowed overall, and employment patterns began to shift. Some notable downward shifts occurred in the information sector that experienced some significant downsizing, and construction. Over the past several months, growth has effectively paused.
- A few industries such as health care continue to add jobs, but employment counts in most sectors in 2025 have hovered around or dropped slightly below the levels observed in 2024.
Contact Washington's chief labor economist
Anneliese Vance-Sherman
- Email Anneliese: anneliese.vance-sherman@esd.wa.gov
- Call Anneliese: 564-900-0748
Workforce development areas
Region and metropolitan areas
Washington is part of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ west region. It includes the following Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs):
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue MSA
- Seattle-Bellevue MD (part of Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue MSA)
- Tacoma-Lakewood MD (part of Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue MSA)
- Everett MD (part of Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue MSA)
- Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater MSA
- Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard MSA
- Mount Vernon-Anacortes MSA
- Portland (Ore.)-Vancouver (Wash.)-Hillsboro (Ore.) MSA
- Longview MSA
- Spokane-Spokane Valley MSA
- Kennewick-Richland MSA
- Walla Walla MSA
- Yakima MSA
- Bellingham MSA
- Wenatchee MSA
Visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website for more about information about Washington.
Employment updates for December 2025
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The December 2025 unemployment rate is 5.3% in Washington state and 4.1% in the United States.
| (All) unemployment rate | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 4,069,074 | 4,096,635 | 4,050,286 |
| Employed persons | 3,854,360 | 3,894,163 | 3,877,510 |
| Persons seeking work | 214,714 | 202,472 | 172,776 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% | 4.9% | 4.3% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Washington unemployment rate, 2023 to 2025
Washington's unemployment rate typically tracks well with the national rate. The unemployment rate has steadily been in the 4-to-5% range since 2022. Historically speaking, this is considered to be low, indicating a labor market that is less challenging for job seekers and more challenging for employers.
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|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4.5% |
4.5% |
4.1% |
3.6% |
3.7% |
3.8% |
4.0% |
4.5% |
4.2% |
4.4% |
4.4% |
4.7% |
|
5.0% |
5.1% |
4.7% |
4.1% |
4.2% |
4.4% |
4.7% |
4.6% |
4.1% |
4.2% |
4.3% |
4.3% |
|
4.7% |
5.0% |
4.5% |
4.2% |
4.3% |
4.2% |
4.5% |
4.6% |
4.5% |
5.0% |
5.3% |
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 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, Washington state has 3,636,300 jobs.
One month ago, in November 2025 there were 2,300 more jobs (3,638,600 in total.)
Compared to that month, in December there are:
- 4,400 more jobs in Leisure and hospitality which added the largest number of jobs in December. Food services and drinking places added 3,900 jobs.
- 2,200 more jobs in Retail trade which is consistent with holiday hiring.
- 1,800 more jobs in Information.1,000 jobs were added in the software publishing industry.
- 5,000 fewer jobs in Government. Job losses were evident at all levels of government.
- Other noteworthy job changes occurred in professional and business services (-4,700) and construction (-1,800).
In December 2024 there were 6,600 more jobs (3,642,900 in total.)
Compared to that month, this December there are:
- 17,800 (3.2%) more jobs in Private education and health services. Ambulatory health care services added 9,600 jobs.
- 2,700 (0.8%) more jobs in Retail trade. The highest growth was recorded by food and beverage retailers (+1,900).
- 7,800 (1.4%) fewer jobs in Professional and business services. The deepest losses were in administrative and support and waste management services (-9,000)
- 7,200 (1.2%) fewer jobs in Government. Federal and state government faced cuts over the year. Employment in local government increased.
Employment estimates for Washington
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 | 3,636,300 | 3,638,600 | 3,642,900 | -2,300 | -6,600 | -0.2% |
| - Private | 3,021,200 | 3,018,500 | 3,020,600 | 2,700 | 600 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 615,100 | 620,100 | 622,300 | -5,000 | -7,200 | -1.2% |
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 | 484,800 | 487,500 | 496,000 | -2,700 | -11,200 | -2.3% |
| - Mining and logging | 5,000 | 5,100 | 5,100 | -100 | -100 | -2.0% |
| - Construction | 213,500 | 215,300 | 218,200 | -1,800 | -4,700 | -2.2% |
| - Manufacturing | 266,300 | 267,100 | 272,700 | -800 | -6,400 | -2.3% |
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 | 3,151,500 | 3,151,100 | 3,146,900 | 400 | 4,600 | 0.1% |
| - Wholesale trade | 132,800 | 132,600 | 136,100 | 200 | -3,300 | -2.4% |
| - Retail trade | 341,200 | 339,000 | 338,500 | 2,200 | 2,700 | 0.8% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 162,600 | 162,500 | 161,400 | 100 | 1,200 | 0.7% |
| - Information | 163,100 | 161,300 | 163,800 | 1,800 | -700 | -0.4% |
| - Financial activities | 163,400 | 163,100 | 162,200 | 300 | 1,200 | 0.7% |
| - Professional and business services | 534,100 | 538,800 | 541,900 | -4,700 | -7,800 | -1.4% |
| - Private education and health services | 577,700 | 576,300 | 559,900 | 1,400 | 17,800 | 3.2% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 339,100 | 334,700 | 339,900 | 4,400 | -800 | -0.2% |
| - Other services | 122,400 | 122,700 | 120,900 | -300 | 1,500 | 1.2% |
| - Government | 615,100 | 620,100 | 622,300 | -5,000 | -7,200 | -1.2% |
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 3,577,071 total covered employees.
- Government - 591,342 jobs.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 471,140 jobs.
- Retail trade - 328,496 jobs.
- Accommodation and food services - 283,539 jobs.
- Manufacturing - 271,063 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2024’s annual average wage was $92,467 for covered employees.
- Management of companies and enterprises - $276,463.
- Information - $275,718.
- Professional, scientific, and technical services - 147,540.
- Utilities - $136,763.
- Finance and insurance - $134,545.
2024 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Workforce demographics for Washington state
Age
| Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 to 19 years | 365,567 | 40.20% | 16.60% |
| 20 to 24 years | 477,787 | 79.20% | 8.80% |
| 25 to 29 years | 566,940 | 84.90% | 5.10% |
| 30 to 34 years | 606,494 | 83.40% | 4.70% |
| 35 to 44 years | 1,092,809 | 83.30% | 4.10% |
| 45 to 54 years | 934,040 | 82.30% | 3.50% |
| 55 to 59 years | 460,694 | 74.60% | 3.80% |
| 60 to 64 years | 488,857 | 58.60% | 3.50% |
| 65 to 74 years | 772,064 | 24.80% | 3.60% |
| 75 years and over | 487,249 | 5.90% | 3.80% |
| Population 16 years and over | 6,252,501 | 64.70% | 5.00% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 4,627,621 | 79.40% | 4.60% |
| Population 25 to 64 years | 4,149,834 | 79.50% | 4.10% |
Race and Hispanic or Latino origin
| Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 4,394,285 | 62.30% | 4.70% |
| Black or African American alone | 241,312 | 69.70% | 7.40% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 69,995 | 61.00% | 8.10% |
| Asian alone | 613,005 | 70.10% | 3.50% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 41,512 | 69.40% | 6.10% |
| Some other race alone | 312,691 | 73.10% | 5.60% |
| Two or more races | 579,701 | 70.00% | 6.80% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 742,087 | 72.90% | 5.90% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 4,213,100 | 61.90% | 4.70% |
Sex
| Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 2,368,049 | 84.70% | 4.70% |
| Female | 2,259,572 | 73.90% | 4.50% |
Females with children
| Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| children under 18 | 779,573 | 71.90% | 4.30% |
| children under 6 only | 183,193 | 68.60% | 4.70% |
| children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 157,076 | 61.80% | 5.60% |
| children 6 to 17 only | 439,304 | 76.80% | 3.70% |
Poverty status over the past 12 months
| Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 430,738 | 45.00% | 22.10% |
| At or above the poverty level | 4,140,197 | 83.60% | 3.60% |
Disability status
| Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 501,627 | 50.60% | 10.00% |
Educational attainment
| Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than high school graduate | 326,059 | 66.10% | 7.10% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 886,366 | 73.50% | 5.50% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 1,288,226 | 77.80% | 4.50% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1,649,183 | 86.60% | 2.80% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 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.