September 2025 highlights
Since August, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 3.2% to 3.0%, and total nonfarm employment decreased by 240 jobs.
Summary
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remains low in the county, and decreased to 3.0% in September 2025, up from 3.2% in August 2025 and above 3.1% in September 2024. San Juan County’s labor force had an estimated 8,568 workers. Total nonfarm employment was 6,490 jobs in September 2025, down 240 jobs from August and 100 jobs above September 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 September 2025
Labor force and unemployment
- The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.0%, down from 3.2% in August and below 3.1% in September 2024.
- With 8,568 workers, the labor force retracted by 151 workers over the month and was 22 workers below September 2024.
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
- Total nonfarm employment at 6,490 was 240 jobs lower than last month and 100 jobs above last year.
- Construction industry jobs were up 10 jobs over the month and 50 jobs above last year.
- Service providing industry jobs were 250 lower than last month and 40 above last year.
- Retail trade industry jobs were unchanged over the month and were 10 jobs above last year.
- Leisure and hospitality lost 310 jobs over the month and was 20 jobs above last year.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, San Juan County
| NAICS Industry Title | Sep 2025 (Prelim) | Aug 2025 (Revised) | Sep 2024 (Revised) | Aug 2025 to Sep 2025 Change | Sep 2024 to Sep 2025 Change | Sep 2024 to Sep 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 6,490 | 6,730 | 6,390 | -240 | 100 | 1.6% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 5,410 | 5,700 | 5,300 | -290 | 110 | 2.1% |
| Goods-producing | 1,040 | 1,030 | 980 | 10 | 60 | 6.1% |
| - Mining and logging | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Construction | 790 | 780 | 740 | 10 | 50 | 6.8% |
| - Manufacturing | 250 | 250 | 240 | 0 | 10 | 4.2% |
| Service-providing | 5,450 | 5,700 | 5,410 | -250 | 40 | 0.7% |
| - Wholesale trade | 70 | 70 | 70 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Retail trade | 790 | 790 | 780 | 0 | 10 | 1.3% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 240 | 240 | 240 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Information | 120 | 120 | 130 | 0 | -10 | -7.7% |
| - Financial activities | 360 | 350 | 340 | 10 | 20 | 5.9% |
| - Professional and business services | 680 | 670 | 690 | 10 | -10 | -1.4% |
| - Private education and health services | 480 | 480 | 440 | 0 | 40 | 9.1% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 1,420 | 1,730 | 1,400 | -310 | 20 | 1.4% |
| - Other services | 220 | 220 | 240 | 0 | -20 | -8.3% |
| - Government | 1,070 | 1,030 | 1,090 | 40 | -20 | -1.8% |
Note: Data benchmarked through March 2025, updated December 8, 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, San Juan County 2024 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 6,097 in 2024. 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 average annual employment in 2024:
- Government (1,048)
- Accommodation and food services (984)
- Retail trade (764)
- Construction (736)
- Healthcare and social assistance (366)
The average annual wage in Washington state for all industries was $92,467 in 2024. The average annual wage in San Juan County was $53,170 in 2024.
The top sectors in terms of average annual wages in 2024:
- Utilities ($124,262)
- Information ($100,730)
- Professional, scientific and technical services ($84,589)
- Finance and insurance ($66,845)
- Wholesale trade ($65,759)
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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