March 2025 Highlights
In March, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 5.9% to 4.7% and total nonfarm employment increased by 600.
Summary
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.7% in March 2025, down from 5.9% in February 2025 and down from 5.5% in March 2024. Skagit County had 56,794 workers in its labor force in March 2025. Total nonfarm employment at 53,600 jobs increased by 600 over the month and was up 1,300 compared to one year ago.
Location
Skagit County, located in northwest Washington, is situated between Whatcom County to the north and Snohomish County to the south. The Salish Sea lies to the west and the Cascade Mountains rise to the east. The Skagit River runs through the largest population centers of the county. Although most of Skagit County is continental, it includes several islands in the Salish Sea.
Skagit County ranges in elevation from sea level to a high point of 9,114 feet at the non-volcanic peak, Mount Buckner. Glacier Peak, located in neighboring Snohomish County, is noted by the U.S. Geologic Survey as one of the most active and explosive of Washington's volcanoes. Glacier Peak shaped the geography of the Skagit River valley through tremendous mud and debris flows (lahars) that at times traveled over 100 miles to reach the Salish Sea.
Skagit County is synonymous with the Mount Vernon-Anacortes Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and 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 March 2025
Labor force and unemployment
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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.7% in March 2025, down from 5.9% in February 2025 and down from 5.5% in March 2024.
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The labor force decreased by 2,236 workers over the year. The labor force in March 2025 was estimated to have 56,794 workers.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment
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Total nonfarm employment was estimated at 53,600 jobs in March 2025. Employment increased by 600 from February to March 2025 and increased by 1,300 over the year.
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Sectors reporting one-month increases included government (up 300), mining logging and construction (up 100) and leisure and hospitality (up 100). Government increases were concentrated in local government.
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Over the year, most sectors covered in this report added jobs. The largest increases were attributable to government (up 500), manufacturing (up 400) and leisure and hospitality (up 200). Employment in mining, logging and construction was down 100 over the year.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Skagit County
| NAICS Industry Title | Mar 2025 (Prelim) | Feb 2025 (Revised) | Mar 2024 (Revised) | Feb 2025 to Mar 2025 Change | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 Change | Mar 2024 to Mar 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 53,600 | 53,000 | 52,300 | 600 | 1,300 | 2.5% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 40,400 | 40,100 | 39,600 | 300 | 800 | 2.0% |
| Goods-producing | 11,000 | 10,900 | 10,700 | 100 | 300 | 2.8% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 4,500 | 4,400 | 4,600 | 100 | -100 | -2.2% |
| - Manufacturing | 6,500 | 6,500 | 6,100 | 0 | 400 | 6.6% |
| Service-providing | 42,600 | 42,100 | 41,600 | 500 | 1,000 | 2.4% |
| - Trade, transportation, and utilities | 9,800 | 9,800 | 9,700 | 0 | 100 | 1.0% |
| - - Retail trade | 6,800 | 6,800 | 6,700 | 0 | 100 | 1.5% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 5,100 | 5,000 | 4,900 | 100 | 200 | 4.1% |
| - Government | 13,200 | 12,900 | 12,700 | 300 | 500 | 3.9% |
Note: Data benchmarked through September 2024, updated April 17, 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, Skagit County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Average annual covered employment in Skagit County was 52,445 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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Government (11,982)
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Retail trade (6,747)
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Manufacturing (5,732)
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Health care and social assistance (5,265)
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Accommodation and food services (4,439)
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 Skagit County was $61,702 in 2023.
Top sectors in terms of wage in 2023:
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Utilities ($127,119)
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Management of companies and enterprises ($95,500)
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Professional, scientific, and technical services ($84,279)
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Finance and insurance ($82,164)
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Information ($82,158)
Workforce demographics in Skagit County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 106,270 | 58.5% | 4.9% |
| 16 to 19 years | 6,069 | 45.4% | 14.1% |
| 20 to 24 years | 6,705 | 82.0% | 9.0% |
| 25 to 29 years | 8,033 | 83.0% | 3.7% |
| 30 to 34 years | 8,237 | 81.3% | 3.4% |
| 35 to 44 years | 16,398 | 81.6% | 5.5% |
| 45 to 54 years | 14,546 | 82.4% | 3.2% |
| 55 to 59 years | 8,206 | 71.5% | 2.8% |
| 60 to 64 years | 9,266 | 52.1% | 3.4% |
| 65 to 74 years | 17,301 | 22.4% | 5.1% |
| 75 years and over | 11,509 | 5.7% | 3.3% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 84,489 | 55.7% | 4.2% |
| Black or African American alone | 978 | 68.3% | 3.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 1,532 | 68.3% | 12.3% |
| Asian alone | 2,323 | 61.0% | 1.6% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 258 | 86.8% | 13.8% |
| Some other race alone | 9,011 | 74.7% | 5.9% |
| Two or more races | 7,679 | 65.9% | 8.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 16,426 | 73.4% | 8.1% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 80,165 | 54.8% | 4.0% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 71,391 | 76.9% | 4.4% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 35,940 | 82.6% | 4.8% |
| Female | 35,451 | 71.2% | 3.9% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 12,657 | 70.0% | 3.1% |
| With own children under 6 only | 3,368 | 59.2% | 3.6% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 2,183 | 60.9% | 3.1% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 7,106 | 77.9% | 2.9% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 8,121 | 45.4% | 21.3% |
| At or above the poverty level | 62,877 | 81.4% | 3.1% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 8,724 | 45.9% | 10.7% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 64,686 | 76.4% | 3.9% |
| Less than high school graduate | 6,643 | 70.5% | 6.0% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 17,503 | 75.4% | 4.0% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 23,011 | 72.8% | 4.8% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17,529 | 84.5% | 2.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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