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December 2025 highlights
Updated January 2026
Compared to November 2025, the unemployment rate increased from 4.4% to 5.5% (48 unemployed individuals). Employers reported 10 more jobs on payroll (for a total of 700 jobs).
Garfield County's labor market highlights
- The county’s employment base remains highly concentrated: government accounts for more than 70% of covered jobs, with wholesale trade, agriculture and retail trade making up most of the remainder.
- Average annual wages reached $60,801, with government and wholesale trade offering the highest pay, while retail trade remained the lowest‑wage major sector.
- Workforce participation varies sharply across demographics, 95% among residents aged 30-34, but only 14.8% for those 65-74; participation is also higher for men and for individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Contact Garfield County's labor economist
Ajsa Suljic, South central / Southeast region
- Email Ajsa: ajsa.suljic@esd.wa.gov
- Call Ajsa: 509-734-5928
Garfield County is part of the Eastern Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Employment updates for December 2025
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The December 2025 unemployment rate is 5.5% in Garfield County, 5.3% in Washington state and 4.1% in the United States.
| Garfield County unemployment rate | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 869 | 869 | 841 |
| Employed persons | 821 | 831 | 798 |
| Persons seeking work | 48 | 38 | 43 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.5% | 4.4% | 5.1% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Garfield County unemployment rate, 2023 to 2025
As of September 2025, Garfield County’s unemployment rate stood at 3.7%, edging down from August and signaling slightly improved labor market conditions.
Month‑to‑month changes were modest, with a small decline in the labor force and employment, yet unemployment still fell as fewer residents were counted as jobless.
Over the longer term, both the labor force and employment remain slightly below September 2024 levels, indicating a mild year‑over‑year contraction.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6.2% | 7.1% | 5.9% | 3.9% | 3.6% | 3.0% | 4.1% | 4.9% | 4.3% | 5.2% | 4.8% | 4.9% |
|
5.6% | 6.5% | 5.5% | 4.2% | 4.0% | 3.6% | 4.1% | 4.3% | 3.7% | 4.3% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
|
5.7% | 6.5% | 4.2% | 3.5% | 4.6% | 3.6% | 4.4% | 4.0% | 3.7% | 4.4% | 5.5% |
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, Garfield County had 700 jobs.
One month ago, in November 2025 there were 10 fewer jobs (690 in total).
Compared to that month, in December there are:
- 20 more jobs in Local government had the largest monthly gain
- Jobs (which is notably unchanged) in Goods‑producing industries remained unchanged, with construction and related activities flat
- 10 more jobs in Service‑providing industries were the only area of monthly growth
- 10 fewer jobs in State government
In December 2024, there were 20 fewer jobs (680 in total).
Compared to that month, this December there are:
- 20 (2.9%) more jobs in Total nonfarm employment, reflecting modest annual growth
- 10 (6.3%) more jobs in Total private employment, indicating steady expansion in the private sector
- 10 (10.0%) more jobs in Trade, transportation, and utilities, marking a strong annual increase
- 10 (2.0%) more jobs in Government employment, driven by gains in local government
Employment estimates for Garfield 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 | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 700 | 690 | 680 | 10 | 20 | 2.9% |
| - Private | 170 | 170 | 160 | 0 | 10 | 6.3% |
| - Government | 520 | 520 | 510 | 0 | 10 | 2.0% |
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 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
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 | 690 | 680 | 670 | 10 | 20 | 3.0% |
| - Wholesale trade | 70 | 70 | 70 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Retail trade | 20 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Private education and health services | 30 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Other services | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 520 | 520 | 510 | 0 | 10 | 2.0% |
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 uses 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
2024’s annual average was 652 total covered employees.
- Government - 463 jobs.
- Wholesale trade - 72 jobs.
- Not classified elsewhere - 64 jobs.
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting - 27 jobs.
- Retail trade - 25 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2024’s annual average wage was $60,907 for covered employees.
- Government - $65,742.
- Wholesale trade - $55,125.
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting - $40,207.
- Retail trade - $25,114.
2024 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW
Workforce demographics in Garfield County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 2,008 | 48.4% | 42.3% |
| 16 to 19 years | 182 | 39.0% | 0.0% |
| 20 to 24 years | 74 | 64.9% | 0.0% |
| 25 to 29 years | 63 | 58.7% | 17.9% |
| 30 to 34 years | 100 | 95.0% | 5.2% |
| 35 to 44 years | 239 | 80.3% | 9.4% |
| 45 to 54 years | 279 | 60.9% | 0.0% |
| 55 to 59 years | 94 | 76.6% | 0.0% |
| 60 to 64 years | 288 | 63.2% | 0.0% |
| 65 to 74 years | 447 | 14.8% | 0.0% |
| 75 years and over | 242 | 16.1% | 37.5% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 1,844 | 47.3% | 5.8% |
| Black or African American alone | 4 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 1 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Asian alone | 25 | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 16 | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| Two or more races | 118 | 45.8% | 33.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 56 | 33.9% | 0.0% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 1,823 | 47.7% | 5.9% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 1,137 | 70.0% | 5.4% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 596 | 78.5% | 4.5% |
| Female | 541 | 60.6% | 6.7% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 213 | 64.8% | 7.2% |
| With own children under 6 only | 51 | 47.1% | 0.0% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 59 | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 103 | 53.4% | 18.2% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 135 | 39.3% | 39.6% |
| At or above the poverty level | 991 | 75.0% | 3.0% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 244 | 43.4% | 16.0% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 1,063 | 70.4% | 5.7% |
| Less than high school graduate | 89 | 51.7% | 0.0% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 228 | 63.2% | 14.6% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 469 | 68.4% | 6.9% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 277 | 85.6% | 0.0% |
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.