Summary
The preliminary January 2025 data release showed San Juan County with 1 nonfarm jobs that was down 60 from the 5,710 of December 2024 but 220 above the January 2024 total of 5.490.
As expected, the loss in January with the highly seasonal leisure and hospitality sector which will lost 50 jobs between December and January also losing employment during that was financial activities which is claimed by 30.
Between January 2024 and January 2025 leisure and hospitality employment expanded by 130 also showing an increase was professional and business services which gained 60 jobs over the year.
Unemployment in the county increased from 4.3% in December 2024 to 5.1% in January 2025. The January 2025 unemployment rate is identical to the January 2024 rate that was posted at 5.1% also.
Nonfarm employment totaled 57 in San Juan County in January 2025 — up 50 from the December 2024 total of 5,670 and up 140 from January 2024.
From December 2024 to January 2025, leisure and hospitality was up 30 jobs. Professional and business services was up 10. Education and health services was up 10##. The government sector was down 20.
From January 2024 to January 2025, the largest increases occurred in leisure and hospitality which was up 100 jobs. Professional and business services was up 40. Construction was up 20. Trade transportation and utilities was down 30. Manufacturing employment was down 10.
The preliminary unemployment rate in San Juan County was 5.1% in January 2025 — a slight increase from the December rate of 4.3%. The unemployment rate was 5.1% in January 2024.
Location
San Juan County is located in northwest Washington state. It consists of four large islands: San Juan, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw; and hundreds of small islands, reefs and rocks. About 20 islands are inhabited. San Juan County is the smallest county in Washington by total landmass.
San Juan County is located in the Salish Sea to the west of Skagit and Whatcom counties and east of lower Vancouver Island, Canada. The islands are spectacularly scenic and a popular destination for tourists and retirees. People arrive via ferry, private boat and float plane throughout the year with a pronounced uptick in the summer. Tourism-related industries and retirement communities form the base of the San Juan County economy. While the natural beauty and relative isolation of island life supports a vibrant seasonal tourism-based economy, the relative isolation presents a challenge for economic diversification.
San Juan County is part of the Northwest Workforce Development Area. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the 12 regions.
Employment situation for January 2025
Labor force and unemployment
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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.1% in January 2025, up from 4.3% in December 2024 and unchanged from January 2024.
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The labor force contracted over the year, losing an estimated 94 workers.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment in San Juan County
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Total nonfarm employment increased by 50 from December 2024 to January 2025.
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Most sectors saw slight one-month increases in employment. The largest increase was observed in leisure and hospitality. Government employment fell in January.
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Total nonfarm employment increased by 140 jobs from January 2024 to January 2025.
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Overall, the largest annual job loss was in trade, which lost 30 jobs from January 2024 to January 2025.
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The largest one-year gains were attributable to hiring in leisure and hospitality and professional and business services.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, San Juan County
| NAICS Industry Title | Jan 2025 (Preliminary) | Dec 2024 (Revised) | Jan 2024 (Revised) | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 change | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 change | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 5,710 | 5,770 | 5,490 | -60 | 220 | 4.0% |
| --Total private | 4,670 | 4,750 | 4,440 | -80 | 230 | 5.2% |
| ---Goods-producing | 980 | 970 | 930 | 10 | 50 | 5.4% |
| -----Mining, Logging and Construction | 770 | 770 | 740 | 0 | 30 | 4.1% |
| -----Mining and logging | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -----Construction | 760 | 760 | 730 | 0 | 30 | 4.1% |
| -----Manufacturing | 210 | 200 | 200 | 10 | 10 | 5.0% |
| -------Durable goods | 60 | 60 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -------Nondurable goods | 140 | 140 | 140 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---Service-providing | 4,740 | 4,810 | 4,550 | -70 | 190 | 4.2% |
| -----Trade, transportation, and utilities | 980 | 960 | 980 | 20 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -------Wholesale Trade | 50 | 50 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -------Retail trade | 720 | 720 | 730 | 0 | -10 | -1.4% |
| -------Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities | 200 | 190 | 200 | 10 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -----Information | 120 | 120 | 120 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -----Financial activities | 290 | 320 | 290 | -30 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -----Professional and business services | 690 | 690 | 630 | 0 | 60 | 9.5% |
| -----Private education and health services | 410 | 420 | 400 | -10 | 10 | 2.5% |
| -----Leisure and hospitality | 990 | 1,040 | 860 | -50 | 130 | 15.1% |
| -----Other services | 220 | 220 | 230 | 0 | -10 | -4.3% |
| -----Government | 1,040 | 1,020 | 1,040 | 20 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -------Federal | 50 | 50 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -------State government | 30 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---------State government education | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| -------Local government | 960 | 940 | 960 | 20 | 0 | 0.0% |
| ---------Local government education | 380 | 390 | 390 | -10 | -10 | -2.6% |
Note: Data benchmarked through September 2024, updated March 17, 2025.
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Industry employment (covered employment)
Employment by industry, Jefferson County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Note: ND stands for not disclosed. ND is used to avoid disclosing data for individual employers. Industries labeled ND are grouped in the Not elsewhere classified category.
Average annual covered employment in San Juan County was 6,126 in 2023. Covered employment refers to workers who received wages in Washington state and are eligible for state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) compensation programs.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
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Accommodation and food services (1,022)
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Government (1,021)
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Construction (776)
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Retail trade (758)
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Professional, scientific and technical services (363)
Wages can vary substantially from one industry sector to another. The average annual wage in Washington state for all industries was $87,054 in 2023. The average annual wage in San Juan County was $51,918 in 2023.
The top sectors in terms of wage in 2023:
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Management of companies and enterprises ($182,830)
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Utilities ($121,167)
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Information ($98,439)
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Professional, scientific and technical services ($96,918)
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Wholesale trade ($77,006)
Workforce demographics in San Juan County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 16,243 | 53.4% | 3.1% |
| 16 to 19 years | 557 | 38.1% | 3.3% |
| 20 to 24 years | 589 | 84.6% | 3.2% |
| 25 to 29 years | 730 | 91.2% | 4.6% |
| 30 to 34 years | 829 | 88.2% | 0.7% |
| 35 to 44 years | 1,936 | 77.4% | 5.2% |
| 45 to 54 years | 2,080 | 85.5% | 4.1% |
| 55 to 59 years | 1,345 | 72.5% | 1.9% |
| 60 to 64 years | 1,775 | 55.2% | 2.0% |
| 65 to 74 years | 3,953 | 27.7% | 1.0% |
| 75 years and over | 2,449 | 9.8% | 2.1% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 14,590 | 51.9% | 3.2% |
| Black or African American alone | 31 | 77.4% | 0.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 83 | 59.0% | 0.0% |
| Asian alone | 195 | 37.4% | 4.1% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 45 | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 428 | 75.5% | 0.9% |
| Two or more races | 871 | 66.6% | 2.9% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 1,002 | 74.9% | 5.9% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 14,284 | 51.4% | 2.8% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 9,284 | 76.7% | 3.4% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 4,530 | 82.3% | 4.0% |
| Female | 4,754 | 71.5% | 2.7% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 1,310 | 70.5% | 1.6% |
| With own children under 6 only | 337 | 72.7% | 0.0% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 182 | 72.5% | 9.1% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 791 | 69.0% | 0.5% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 1,082 | 48.3% | 12.0% |
| At or above the poverty level | 8,182 | 80.6% | 2.7% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 792 | 59.7% | 11.0% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 8,695 | 76.2% | 3.4% |
| Less than high school graduate | 538 | 79.9% | 0.0% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 1,720 | 76.0% | 4.5% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 2,286 | 75.1% | 7.4% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 4,151 | 76.4% | 1.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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