Most recent facts and figures report
Read this page or download the September 2026 facts and figures report (PDF, 184KB) to see the latest data highlights.
The 2025 annual facts and figures report (PDF, 202KB) is now available.
Unemployment rates
|
September 2026 |
August 2026 |
September 2025 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Statewide rate (SA) |
4.8% |
4.9% |
4.7% |
|
Lowest county |
Asotin |
Asotin |
Asotin |
|
Lowest county rate (NSA) |
2,4% |
2.9% |
3.0% |
|
Highest county |
Wahkiakum |
Ferry |
Wahkiakum |
|
Highest county rate (NSA) |
5.6% |
6.8% |
6.2% |
Labor force
|
Characteristic |
September 2026 |
August 2026 |
September 2025 |
Difference August - September |
Difference 2025 - 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Labor force |
4,045,430 |
4,043,696 |
4,056,992 |
1,734 |
-11,562 |
|
Unemployed, seeking work |
193,018 |
197,389 |
192,034 |
-4,371 |
984 |
|
3,638,500 |
3,653,900 |
3,630,500 |
-15,400 |
8,000 |
Top growth industries
|
Industry |
Job increases |
|---|---|
|
Professional and business services |
1,800 |
|
Construction |
1,500 |
|
Information |
1,400 |
Unemployment claims
|
Benefit |
September 2026 |
August 2026 |
September 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular benefits claimants |
57,685 |
59,956 |
59,116 |
|
Continued regular claims (% change y/y) |
-8.1% |
-7.5% |
18.0% |
|
Regular benefits paid |
$152.5M |
$151.2M |
$155,3M |
|
Average weekly benefit |
$801 |
$782 |
$769 |
Unemployment benefit range
|
High/Low |
Fiscal Year 2026 |
Fiscal Year 2025 |
|---|---|---|
|
Lowest weekly benefit |
$366 |
$343 |
|
Highest weekly benefit |
$1,152 |
$1,079 |
Long-term unemployment
|
Demographic |
September 2026 |
August 2026 |
September 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total LTU job seekers |
58,200 |
60,600 |
37,400 |
|
Percent of job seekers |
27.6% |
28.3% |
20.4% |
|
Percent of total labor force |
1.4% |
1.5% |
0.9% |
|
Percent male |
65% |
63% |
60% |
|
Percent female |
35% |
37% |
40% |
Paid Family and Medical Leave claims and benefits
|
PFML statistic |
September 2026 |
August 2026 |
September 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Applications submitted |
31,586 |
31,437 |
29,455 |
|
12-month change (%) |
7.23% |
8.85% |
16.91% |
|
Leaves paid |
65,516 |
68,610 |
62,126 |
|
Benefits approved - family |
$97,673,498 |
$111,436,856 |
$90,713,599 |
|
Benefits approved - medical |
$108,090,279 |
$119,598,106 |
$94,029,867 |
|
Average weekly payment |
$967.77 |
$973.82 |
$945.36 |
Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums and account balance
|
Quarterly measure |
Q3 2026 |
Q3 2025 |
|---|---|---|
|
Premiums collected |
$750.0M |
$589.5M |
|
Account balance |
$178.3M |
$52.7M |
Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums and account rates
|
Annual measure |
Calendar Year 2026 |
Calendar Year 2025 |
|---|---|---|
|
Premium rate |
1.13% |
0.9% |
|
Employer responsibility |
28.57% |
28.5% |
|
Premium wage cap |
$184,500 |
$176,100 |
Unemployment insurance trust fund
|
Quarterly measure |
Q1 2026 |
Q2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
|
Taxes collected |
$352.5M |
$769.6M |
|
Trust Fund balance |
$3.4B |
$3.6B |
WorkSource services
*This data is currently unavailable due to WorkSource case management system upgrades.
ESD employees
|
Demographic |
September 2026 |
August 2026 |
September 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total employees |
2,219 |
2,207 |
2,154 |
|
Permanent employees |
2,091 |
2,076 |
2,180 |
|
Employees of color |
25.6% |
26.01% |
26.3% |
ESD employee ages
|
Employee ages |
<25 |
25-39 |
40-54 |
55+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Percent of employees |
0.45% |
22.62% |
40.95% |
36.01% |
About these data
Sources
ESD Human Resource Management System (HRMS), Employment Security Department/LMIR; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, Employment Security Department/LMIR; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics, Employment Security Department/LMIR; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey; Employment Security Department/Leave and Care/WA Paid Leave Administrative Data