Posted May 2025
April 2025 Highlights
In April, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 3.7% to 3.4% and total nonfarm employment increased by 1.1% over the year.
Summary
Walla Walla County’s economy is diverse, with significant contributions from agriculture, tourism, health care, education, manufacturing, and retail trade. The county is renowned for its agricultural products, particularly wheat, onions, potatoes, and wine grapes. Tourism has flourished, thanks in large part to the county’s art scene and wine industry, which boasts more than 180 wineries.
Total covered employment in Walla Walla County is approximately 29,054 jobs. The annual average unemployment rate was around 4.2% in 2023. Health care and educational services are major employment sectors, reflecting their importance to the local economy. Manufacturing and retail trade also play crucial roles, contributing to economic resilience.
Workforce development initiatives focus on skill enhancement, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing, ensuring a competitive local workforce. Efforts to diversify the economy include promoting tourism and supporting small businesses.
Walla Walla County geographic overview
Walla Walla County is in the southeastern part of Washington. It is part of the Walla Walla metropolitan area. The city of Walla Walla is the county seat and the largest city in the county. Walla Walla County’s population was 62,584 in the 2020 census. In 2022, the Census estimated the population at 61,890, which is a decrease of 1.1% from the 2020 census.
The county covers 1,299 square miles, including 29 square miles of water. It features a mix of agricultural land and rolling prairie-like terrain.
Walla Walla County was created out of a larger area in 1854 and was named after the Walla Walla tribe.
Washington has 12 regional Workforce Development Areas. Walla Walla County is part of Area 10, the Eastern Washington Partnership. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the workforce regions.
Walla Walla County employment situation for April 2025
Monthly labor force and unemployment
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As of April 2025, Walla Walla County’s employment levels remain stable, with a slight decrease in total labor force, employment and unemployment.
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Walla Walla County has over 26,898 people in the labor force, a decrease of 2,491 workers (8.5%) from April 2024. The employed workforce decreased by 2,338 workers (8.3%) and unemployed workers decreased by 153 workers (14.2%). About 922 people were unemployed and looking for work.
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The unemployment rate in the county was 3.4% in April 2025, which decreased from 4.1% in March 2025 and remained the same as April 2024 at 3.7%.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Monthly nonfarm payroll employment in Walla Walla MSA
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Overall job trends show that Walla Walla County experienced steady employment growth. Adding 300 jobs (1.1%) compared to April 2024 brought total payroll employment to 28,500. The private sector expanded by 400 jobs (1.8%), while government employment lost 100 jobs (1.6%) year-over-year, bringing the total to 6,300.
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Industries with growth include private education and health services, which rose by 200 jobs (2.6%), bringing the total to 7,900 positions. Financial activities had strong gains, increasing by 100 jobs (12.5%) for 900 total positions. Federal employment also grew by 100 jobs (5.3%) for 2,000 total positions.
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Industries with declines include professional and business services, which shed 100 jobs (8.3%), now totaling 1,100 positions. Trade, transportation, and utilities declined by 100 jobs (2.7%), with the largest drop in wholesale trade at 12.5%, now at 700 positions. Leisure and hospitality also had reductions, losing 100 jobs (4.0%), with total employment now at 2,400 jobs. Retail trade remained unchanged with current employment at 2,300 positions.
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Government with total 6,300 jobs, shows a continued declining trend. State and local government jobs remain flat at 1,800 and 2,700 positions, respectively. Federal positions grew to 2,000, reflecting modest gains in the public sector. Overall, government jobs remain slightly lower than last year.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Walla Walla MSA
| NAICS Industry Title | Apr 2025 (Prelim) | Mar 2025 (Revised) | Apr 2024 (Revised) | Mar 2025 to Apr 2025 Change | Apr 2024 to Apr 2025 Change | Apr 2024 to Apr 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 28,500 | 28,400 | 28,200 | 100 | 300 | 1.1% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 22,200 | 22,000 | 21,800 | 200 | 400 | 1.8% |
| Goods-producing | 5,100 | 5,000 | 5,100 | 100 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 1,200 | 1,200 | 1,200 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Manufacturing | 3,900 | 3,900 | 3,900 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Service-providing | 23,400 | 23,400 | 23,100 | 0 | 300 | 1.3% |
| - Wholesale trade | 700 | 700 | 800 | 0 | -100 | -12.5% |
| - Retail trade | 2,300 | 2,400 | 2,300 | -100 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 500 | 500 | 600 | 0 | -100 | -16.7% |
| - Information | 200 | 200 | 200 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Financial activities | 900 | 900 | 800 | 0 | 100 | 12.5% |
| - Professional and business services | 1,100 | 1,100 | 1,200 | 0 | -100 | -8.3% |
| - Private education and health services | 7,900 | 7,800 | 7,700 | 100 | 200 | 2.6% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 2,400 | 2,600 | 2,500 | -200 | -100 | -4.0% |
| - Other services | 600 | 600 | 600 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 6,300 | 6,400 | 6,400 | -100 | -100 | -1.6% |
Note: Data benchmarked through December 2024, updated May 16, 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 in Walla Walla County
In 2023, Walla Walla County wages totaled more than $1.55 billion with an average annual wage of $53,602. Average annual covered employment was 29,054. Covered employment refers to workers who received wages in Washington state and are eligible for state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) compensation programs.
The agriculture sector was significant, employing 3,624 individuals with an average wage of $36,260. Manufacturing was a major contributor, with 3,918 employees earning an average of $65,291. The government sector was the largest employer, with 6,018 employees and an average wage of $65,999.
Professional, scientific, and technical services offered the highest average wage at $75,099 for 502 employees. The finance and insurance sector also provided competitive wages, with 528 employees earning an average of $72,956. Retail trade, while employing 2,411 individuals, had a lower average wage of $35,219. Overall, Walla Walla County’s employment trends reflect a diverse economy with strong contributions from agriculture, manufacturing, and government sectors, alongside high-wage professional services.
Employment by industry, Walla Walla County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Government (6,018)
- Health care and social assistance (4,400)
- Manufacturing (3,918)
- Agriculture (3,624)
- Retail trade (2,411)
- Accommodations and food services (2,178)
Wages can vary substantially from one industry sector to another. The 2023 average annual wage in Walla Walla for all industries was $53,602. Annual payroll totaled more than $1.55 billion.
The top sectors in terms of wage in 2023:
- Professional, scientific, and technical services ($75,099)
- Finance and insurance ($72,956)
- Government ($65,999)
- Manufacturing ($65,291)
- Wholesale trade ($64,264)
Workforce demographics in Walla Walla County
The labor force participation rate is highest among the 25-29 age group at 80.5%, while the 65 to 74 age group has the lowest at 26.5%. Male workers have a slightly higher participation rate (74.7%) compared to female workers (74.4%). People with a bachelor’s degree or higher have the highest participation rate at 87.1%, while those with less than a high school diploma have the lowest at 56.2%.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for quick facts about Walla Walla County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 50,787 | 59.1% | 5.7% |
| 16 to 19 years | 4,469 | 53.7% | 11.6% |
| 20 to 24 years | 5,318 | 78.4% | 12.0% |
| 25 to 29 years | 3,611 | 80.5% | 13.2% |
| 30 to 34 years | 3,838 | 79.4% | 3.7% |
| 35 to 44 years | 7,464 | 75.2% | 2.6% |
| 45 to 54 years | 6,645 | 75.0% | 1.3% |
| 55 to 59 years | 3,481 | 73.6% | 4.4% |
| 60 to 64 years | 3,888 | 58.0% | 1.7% |
| 65 to 74 years | 6,837 | 27.5% | 3.6% |
| 75 years and over | 5,236 | 3.6% | 1.6% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 39,181 | 57.6% | 5.1% |
| Black or African American alone | 1,033 | 53.0% | 0.7% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 756 | 58.1% | 20.3% |
| Asian alone | 986 | 44.8% | 13.8% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 136 | 39.0% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 4,495 | 74.5% | 6.3% |
| Two or more races | 4,200 | 62.1% | 7.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 10,149 | 70.9% | 8.5% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 36,328 | 56.5% | 4.4% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 34,245 | 74.6% | 5.3% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 18,197 | 74.7% | 5.6% |
| Female | 16,048 | 74.4% | 5.0% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 5,566 | 76.8% | 2.3% |
| With own children under 6 only | 943 | 64.1% | 0.0% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 1,232 | 73.9% | 5.2% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 3,391 | 81.4% | 1.9% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 3,068 | 48.9% | 15.7% |
| At or above the poverty level | 28,386 | 83.0% | 4.6% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 3,899 | 46.8% | 11.9% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 28,927 | 73.9% | 4.0% |
| Less than high school graduate | 3,530 | 56.2% | 8.3% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 6,633 | 68.6% | 5.8% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 10,667 | 72.9% | 3.3% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 8,097 | 87.1% | 2.4% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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