Posted June 2025
May 2025 highlights
In May, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 4.1% to 3.4%, and total nonfarm employment decreased by 3.9% 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 May 2025
Monthly labor force and unemployment
- As of May 2025, Walla Walla County total labor force, employment and unemployment have all decreased compared to May 2024.
- Walla Walla County has over 27,599 people in the labor force, with a decrease of 2,401 workers (8.0%) from May 2024. The employed workforce decreased by 2,228 workers (7.7%). The unemployed workforce decreased by 173 workers (14.9%). About 985 people were unemployed and looking for work.
- The unemployment rate in the county was 3.4% in May 2025, which decreased from 4.1% in April 2025. The unemployment rate was the same as May 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
- Overall job trends show that Walla Walla County experienced a decline in employment, losing 1,100 jobs (3.9%) compared to May 2024, bringing total payroll employment to 27,300. The private sector contracted by 1,200 jobs (5.5%), while government employment increased by 100 jobs (1.5%) year-over-year.
- 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 saw strong gains, increasing by 100 jobs (12.5%), now totaling 900 positions.
- Industries facing declines include professional and business services, which shed 100 jobs (8.3%), now totaling 1,100 positions. Transportation, warehousing, and utilities declined by100 jobs (16.7%). Leisure and hospitality shed 200 jobs (7.7%), now totaling 2,400 positions.
- Government showed a modest increase with a total of 6,600. State and local government jobs remained unchanged at 1,800 and 2,800 positions, respectively. Federal positions grew by 100 new jobs (5.3%).
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Walla Walla 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 | 27,300 | 26,900 | 28,400 | 400 | -1,100 | -3.9% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 20,700 | 20,400 | 21,900 | 300 | -1,200 | -5.5% |
| Goods-producing | 5,200 | 5,100 | 5,200 | 100 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 1,200 | 1,200 | 1,200 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Manufacturing | 4,000 | 3,900 | 4,000 | 100 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Service-providing | 22,100 | 21,800 | 23,200 | 300 | -1,100 | -4.7% |
| - Wholesale trade | 700 | 700 | 800 | 0 | -100 | -12.5% |
| - Retail trade | 2,400 | 2,300 | 2,300 | 100 | 100 | 4.3% |
| - 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 | 7,900 | 7,700 | 0 | 200 | 2.6% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 2,400 | 2,400 | 2,600 | 0 | -200 | -7.7% |
| - Other services | 600 | 600 | 600 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Government | 6,600 | 6,500 | 6,500 | 100 | 100 | 1.5% |
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 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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