Posted June 2025
May 2025 highlights
In May, the not seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate increased from 3.7% to 3.9%. Total nonfarm employment decreased by 1,700 jobs in the Spokane-Spokane Valley MSA from May 2024.
Summary
Spokane County is in the northeast region of Washington state. About 555,947 people live in the county and the largest demographic is people 25-to-34-years of age. The City of Spokane is the second-largest city in Washington and serves as the business, transportation, medical, industrial, and cultural hub of the Inland Northwest.
Spokane County was created in 1858 and became a regional hub for mining, timber, and railroads in the 1870s. Historically, Spokane's economy has been shaped by its role as a regional service center for Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. Major sectors are government, higher education, medical services, retail trade, and finance. Fairchild Air Force Base is the largest employer in the county.
The private sector has seen significant job increases over the past few years. Key industries with growth are transportation and warehousing, advanced manufacturing, health services, professional and business services, and finance and insurance.
Some recent developments include a health sciences campus, Amazon fulfillment centers, and biotechnology firms. Spokane is attracting investments from tourism, conventions, military, and research, supporting a diversified economy.
There were around 14,279 firms demanding labor in the county with 241,636 jobs filled by workers in 2023. Spokane County averaged about 262,245 people in the labor force in 2024, with a 4.5% unemployment rate. Spokane is part of the Spokane-Spokane Valley Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which also includes Stevens County.
Spokane County geographic overview
Spokane County is in eastern Washington and shares its eastern border with Idaho. Spokane is both the county seat and the largest city in Spokane County.
The county covers 1,764 square miles, including 17 square miles of water. Its landscape features a mix of urban areas, suburban developments, and beautiful natural settings, including rivers, lakes, and parks.
Spokane County was created out of Walla Walla County in 1858 and derives its name from the Spokane tribe.
Washington has 12 regional Workforce Development Areas. Spokane County is part of Area 12, the Spokane Workforce Development Area. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the workforce regions.
Spokane County employment situation for May 2025
Monthly labor force and unemployment
- The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.9% during May 2025, down from 4.1% in May 2024.
- The labor force decreased by 12,093 workers from May 2024 to May 2025.
- The total employed workers decreased by 11,167 workers from May 2024 to May 2025.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Monthly nonfarm payroll employment in Spokane - Spokane Valley MSA
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As of May 2025, total nonfarm employment in Spokane-Spokane Valley MSA was 268,500 jobs, with a decreased of 2,000 jobs over the month and a decrease of 1,700 jobs from May 2024. Private sectors, totaling 225,000 jobs, saw a decrease of 1,900 jobs over the month, and a decrease of 2,000 jobs from May 2024 to May 2025.
- Goods producing sectors, with 32,500 jobs, increased by 200 jobs over the month but decreased by 1,600 jobs from May 2024.
- Mining, logging, and construction, with 15,800 jobs, increased by 200 jobs over the month, and decreased by 600 jobs over the year.
- Manufacturing, with 16,700 jobs, remained unchanged over the month but decreased by 1,000 jobs over the year.
- Service providing sectors, with 236,000 jobs, decreased by 2,200 jobs over the month and decreased by 100 jobs from May 2024.
- Trade, transportation, and utilities, with 50,800 jobs, increased by 400 jobs over the month but decreased by 300 jobs from May 2024.
- The financial activities sector, with 13,400 jobs, decreased by 100 jobs over the month and decreased by 600 jobs over the year.
- Professional and business services, with 27,800 jobs, decreased by 300 jobs over the month and decreased by 2,400 jobs over the year.
- Private education and health services, with 60,000 jobs, was unchanged over the month and increased by 1,100 jobs over the year.
- Leisure and hospitality industry, with 25,500 jobs, increased by 200 jobs over the month, but decreased by 800 jobs over the year.
- Government services, including public educational services totaled 43,500 jobs, decreased by 100 jobs over the month but increased by 300 jobs from May 2024.
- The largest gain was in local government, which added 600 jobs over the year.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Spokane - Spokane Valley MSA
| NAICS Industry Title | May 2025 (Prelim) | Apr 2025 (Revised) | May 2024 (Revised) | Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change | May 2024 to May 2025 Change | May 2024 to May 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 268,500 | 270,500 | 270,200 | -2,000 | -1,700 | -0.6% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 225,000 | 226,900 | 227,000 | -1,900 | -2,000 | -0.9% |
| Goods-producing | 32,500 | 32,300 | 34,100 | 200 | -1,600 | -4.7% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 15,800 | 15,600 | 16,400 | 200 | -600 | -3.7% |
| - Manufacturing | 16,700 | 16,700 | 17,700 | 0 | -1,000 | -5.6% |
| Service-providing | 236,000 | 238,200 | 236,100 | -2,200 | -100 | 0.0% |
| - Wholesale trade | 12,000 | 11,800 | 11,400 | 200 | 600 | 5.3% |
| - Retail trade | 27,600 | 27,500 | 28,100 | 100 | -500 | -1.8% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 11,200 | 11,100 | 11,600 | 100 | -400 | -3.4% |
| - Information | 2,400 | 2,800 | 3,100 | -400 | -700 | -22.6% |
| - Financial activities | 13,400 | 13,500 | 14,000 | -100 | -600 | -4.3% |
| - Professional and business services | 27,800 | 28,100 | 30,200 | -300 | -2,400 | -7.9% |
| - Private education and health services | 60,000 | 60,000 | 58,900 | 0 | 1,100 | 1.9% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 25,500 | 25,300 | 26,300 | 200 | -800 | -3.0% |
| - Other services | 9,400 | 9,400 | 9,500 | 0 | -100 | -1.1% |
| - Government | 43,500 | 43,600 | 43,200 | -100 | 300 | 0.7% |
Note: Data benchmarked through December 2024, updated June 18, 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.
Total covered employment
Employment by industry, Spokane County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
The average annual covered employment in Spokane County was 241,636 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.
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 Spokane County was $62,390 in 2023.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Health care and social assistance (45,871)
- Government (35,893)
- Retail trade (26,469)
- Accommodation and food services (20,672)
- Manufacturing (16,477)
Top industry sectors in terms of wages in 2023:
- Other industries ($169,577)
- Management of companies and enterprises ($116,879)
- Utilities ($112,534)
- Finance and insurance ($104,227)
- Mining ($99,449)
Workforce demographics in Spokane County
The labor force participation rate is highest among the 25 to 29 years age group at 83.7%, while the 65 to 74 age group has the lowest at 22.7%. Participation rate for labor force prime working population 20 to 64 years of age was 76.7%.
Male workers have a slightly higher participation rate (80.7%) compared to female workers (72.7%). Those with a bachelor’s degree or higher have the highest participation rate at 85.6%, while people with less than a high school diploma have the lowest at 54.7%.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Spokane County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 438,738 | 61.8% | 5.7% |
| 16 to 19 years | 26,511 | 42.3% | 18.2% |
| 20 to 24 years | 35,080 | 77.1% | 8.7% |
| 25 to 29 years | 39,888 | 83.7% | 7.4% |
| 30 to 34 years | 41,186 | 80.7% | 5.4% |
| 35 to 44 years | 72,388 | 81.3% | 5.0% |
| 45 to 54 years | 63,071 | 78.9% | 4.3% |
| 55 to 59 years | 31,083 | 71.7% | 3.1% |
| 60 to 64 years | 36,976 | 56.1% | 2.4% |
| 65 to 74 years | 56,730 | 22.7% | 4.4% |
| 75 years and over | 35,825 | 5.0% | 6.4% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 375,112 | 61.3% | 5.3% |
| Black or African American alone | 8,613 | 66.7% | 12.3% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 4,504 | 56.8% | 14.0% |
| Asian alone | 10,000 | 62.7% | 4.2% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 2,491 | 67.0% | 6.4% |
| Some other race alone | 8,653 | 71.4% | 6.6% |
| Two or more races | 29,365 | 64.6% | 8.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 26,166 | 69.0% | 6.1% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 367,058 | 61.1% | 5.3% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 319,672 | 76.7% | 5.2% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 161,744 | 80.7% | 5.8% |
| Female | 157,928 | 72.7% | 4.6% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 52,115 | 74.2% | 5.0% |
| With own children under 6 only | 11,439 | 67.8% | 7.2% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 11,370 | 65.9% | 7.8% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 29,306 | 79.9% | 3.4% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 39,291 | 43.6% | 26.2% |
| At or above the poverty level | 274,815 | 82.6% | 3.6% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 43,472 | 44.3% | 11.1% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 284,592 | 76.7% | 4.8% |
| Less than high school graduate | 15,934 | 54.7% | 11.9% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 68,014 | 71.8% | 5.9% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 109,627 | 75.5% | 5.4% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 91,017 | 85.6% | 2.7% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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