Whatcom County profile

Whatcom County is in northwest Washington. It borders British Columbia, Canada, to the north, Skagit County to the south, and Okanogan County to the east. The Salish Sea lies to the west and the Cascade Mountains rise to the east. Whatcom County’s elevation ranges from sea level to 10,781 feet atop active volcano Mount Baker, also known as Kulshan.

Whatcom is part of the Bellingham Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is also part of Workforce Development Area 3, along with Skagit, San Juan and Island counties. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the 12 regions.

Employment situation for April 2025

Labor force and unemployment

• The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.7% in April 2025, down from 4.2% in March 2025 and down relative to 4.0% in April 2024. 

• The labor force contracted by 6,249 workers since April 2024. The April 2025 total is 107,779 workers.

Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted

Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics 

Payroll employment

• Total nonfarm employment increased by 2,200 jobs to 997,100 jobs from March 2025 to April 2025, however it was down 300 jobs compared to April 2024. 

• Manufacturing was up 200 jobs compared to April 2024. 

• Trade, transportation and utilities decreased by 100 jobs since March, and 700 jobs compared to April 2024. Retail trade made up 300 jobs of the year’s losses. 

• Leisure and hospitality decreased by 400 jobs since March, while unchanged compared to April 2024.

Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Whatcom County

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.

Industry employment (covered employment)

Employment by industry, Whatcom County 2023 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 Whatcom County was 93,909 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 Whatcom County was $61,929 in 2023.

Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:

• Government (15,105)
• Health care and social assistance (12,938)
• Retail trade (10,619)
• Manufacturing (9,052)
• Accommodation and food services (8,842)

Top sectors in terms of wage in 2023:

• Information ($128,952)
• Finance and insurance ($112,239)
• Professional, scientific and technical services ($95,353)
• Management of companies and enterprises ($86,833)
• Construction ($83,608)

Workforce demographics in Whatcom County

Age

Race or Hispanic origin

Sex

Females with children

Poverty status in the past 12 months

Disability status

Educational attainment

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status

Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Whatcom County.

This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, expressed or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.