Posted June 2025
May 2025 highlights
In May, the not seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.5%. Total nonfarm employment decreased by 2,000 jobs in the Wenatchee MSA from May 2024 to May 2025.
Summary
Douglas county’s labor force is 21,145 workers with a not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.5%. Total nonfarm employment in the Wenatchee metropolitan district was 47,700 jobs in May 2025, a decrease of 2,000 jobs from May 2024, and a decrease of 100 jobs from April 2025. In Douglas County, total covered employment grew from 10,926 jobs in 2013 to 12,358 jobs in 2023, up by 1,432 jobs (13.1%). Retail trade accounted for 40% of all covered jobs added from 2013 to 2023. The government makes up the largest industry sector with an annual average employment of 2,342 jobs out of 12,358 total annual average employment. The county has 1,095 establishments employing workers covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. Douglas County’s 16 and older population was 34,059 in 2023.
Geography
Douglas County, located in central Washington, is between Wenatchee, the Colville Reservation, and the banks of the Columbia River.
It is part of the Wenatchee, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), comprised of Chelan and Douglas counties. It is part of the SkillSource Workforce Development Area, covering north central Washington. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce areas.
Employment situation for May 2025
Labor force and unemployment
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The May 2025 not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.5%, unchanged from April 2025, and down from 4.7% in May 2024.
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The May 2025 labor force increased by 916 workers from 20,229 in May 2024 to 21,145 workers.
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The total employed workers increased by 918 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.
Payroll employment, Wenatchee Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
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Total nonfarm employment was 47,700 jobs in May 2025, a decrease of 100 jobs from April 2025 and 2,000 jobs from May 2024.
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Leisure and hospitality, at 6,400 jobs, decreased by 400 jobs from April 2025 and 1,000 jobs from May 2024.
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Mining, logging and construction employment decreased by 600 jobs from May 2024 to May 2025 and now sits at 3,400 jobs.
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Private education and health services, at 8,300 jobs, decreased by 400 jobs from April 2025 to May 2025 and 200 jobs from May 2024.
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Government, at 9,900 jobs, increased 300 jobs from April 2025 to May 2025. The federal, state, and local government sectors added 100 jobs each in this time.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Wenatchee 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 | 47,700 | 47,800 | 49,700 | -100 | -2,000 | -4.0% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 37,800 | 38,200 | 39,900 | -400 | -2,100 | -5.3% |
| Goods-producing | 6,200 | 6,200 | 6,900 | 0 | -700 | -10.1% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 3,400 | 3,400 | 4,000 | 0 | -600 | -15.0% |
| - Manufacturing | 2,800 | 2,800 | 2,900 | 0 | -100 | -3.4% |
| Service-providing | 41,500 | 41,600 | 42,800 | -100 | -1,300 | -3.0% |
| - Trade, transportation, and utilities | 9,300 | 9,100 | 9,600 | 200 | -300 | -3.1% |
| - - Retail trade | 6,200 | 6,200 | 6,400 | 0 | -200 | -3.1% |
| - Private education and health services | 8,300 | 8,700 | 8,500 | -400 | -200 | -2.4% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 6,400 | 6,800 | 7,400 | -400 | -1,000 | -13.5% |
| - Government | 9,900 | 9,600 | 9,800 | 300 | 100 | 1.0% |
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.
Industry employment (covered employment)
Employment by industry, Douglas County 2023 annual average
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.
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW).
Average annual covered employment in Douglas County was 12,358 in 2023. The average annual wage was $49,790. Covered employment refers to workers who received wages in Washington state and are eligible for state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) compensation programs.
Top sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Government (2,342).
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (2,281).
- Retail trade (1,941).
- Accommodation and food services (1,041).
- Healthcare and social assistance (850).
Workforce demographics in Douglas County
Douglas County’s 16 and older population was 34,059 in 2023. The labor force participation rate was 64.4% and the average unemployment rate was 4.0 %.
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Douglas County.
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 34,059 | 64.4% | 4.0% |
| 16 to 19 years | 2,373 | 43.9% | 8.2% |
| 20 to 24 years | 2,518 | 77.7% | 10.1% |
| 25 to 29 years | 2,679 | 81.3% | 3.9% |
| 30 to 34 years | 2,869 | 90.3% | 2.6% |
| 35 to 44 years | 5,517 | 85.5% | 3.0% |
| 45 to 54 years | 4,913 | 87.1% | 2.1% |
| 55 to 59 years | 3,064 | 73.1% | 4.3% |
| 60 to 64 years | 2,244 | 58.5% | 7.9% |
| 65 to 74 years | 4,643 | 30.3% | 1.5% |
| 75 years and over | 3,239 | 6.1% | 0.0% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 22,750 | 58.2% | 4.1% |
| Black or African American alone | 190 | 41.1% | 3.8% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 294 | 56.5% | 12.7% |
| Asian alone | 319 | 59.9% | 1.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 49 | 77.6% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 7,417 | 80.0% | 3.8% |
| Two or more races | 3,040 | 74.4% | 4.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 10,214 | 80.2% | 4.6% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 21,916 | 57.1% | 3.7% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 23,804 | 81.0% | 4.1% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 12,486 | 86.2% | 4.3% |
| Female | 11,318 | 75.2% | 3.8% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 4,866 | 78.8% | 1.6% |
| With own children under 6 only | 1,075 | 64.7% | 0.0% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 896 | 77.1% | 1.6% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 2,895 | 84.6% | 2.0% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 1,895 | 36.7% | 11.5% |
| At or above the poverty level | 21,909 | 84.8% | 3.8% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 3,409 | 53.9% | 2.1% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 21,286 | 81.4% | 3.4% |
| Less than high school graduate | 4,221 | 81.0% | 3.6% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 6,211 | 75.7% | 5.3% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 6,429 | 83.5% | 3.5% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 4,425 | 86.4% | 0.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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