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December 2025 highlights
Updated January 2026
Compared to November 2025, the unemployment rate increased from 5.2% to 6.3% (1,284 unemployed individuals). Employers reported the same number of jobs on payrolls (for a total of 49,000 jobs).
Douglas County's labor market highlights
- Douglas County, located in central Washington, is between Wenatchee, the Colville Reservation and the banks of the Columbia River. Part of the Grand Coulee Dam touches Douglas County.
- Agriculture makes up the largest industry sector with an annual average employment of 2,479 jobs out of 12,545 total annual average employment in 2024.
Contact Douglas County's labor economist
Mike McBride, North central / Northeast region
- Email Mike: michael.mcbride@esd.wa.gov
- Call Mike: 564-250-3924
Douglas County is part of the North Central Workforce Development Area. Visit the workforce board’s website for information about Washington’s 12 workforce regions.
Douglas County is part of the Wenatchee Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Employment updates for December 2025
Changes to the labor force and unemployment
The December 2025 unemployment rate is 6.3% in Douglas County, 5.3% in Washington state and 4.1% in the United States.
| Douglas County unemployment rate | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participant (labor force) | 20,389 | 20,754 | 19,721 |
| Employed persons | 19,105 | 19,680 | 18,528 |
| Persons seeking work | 1,284 | 1,074 | 1,193 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3% | 5.2% | 6% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Douglas County unemployment rate, 2023 to 2025
Douglas County has a highly seasonal unemployment rate, with significant employment in the agriculture and tourism related sectors.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6.6% | 6.7% | 5.4% | 3.9% | 3.6% | 3.0% | 3.6% | 5.0% | 3.8% | 4.4% | 4.8% | 6.5% |
|
6.7% | 7.2% | 5.8% | 4.6% | 4.7% | 3.9% | 4.6% | 5.2% | 3.9% | 4.2% | 5.0% | 6.0% |
|
6.5% | 7.1% | 5.4% | 4.5% | 4.6% | 3.6% | 4.2% | 4.7% | 3.7% | 5.2% | 6.3% |
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics (LAUS)
Key changes in payroll employment
This includes all employees with paid positions tracked in a company’s payroll system. This doesn’t include persons working outside of formal payroll such as freelancers, contractors and self-employed individuals. Numbers in this section are estimates generated by a monthly survey.
In December 2025, Douglas County had 49,000 jobs.
One month ago, in November 2025, there were the same number of jobs (49,000 in total).
Compared to that month, in December there are:
- 100 fewer jobs in Mining, Logging and Construction
- 100 more jobs in Leisure and hospitality.
- 100 fewer jobs in Government.
In December 2024, there were 900 fewer jobs (48,100 in total).
Compared to that month, this December there are:
- 300 (3.1%) fewer jobs in Government with job declines in both the Federal and State Government sectors
- 300 (3.4%) more jobs in Private education and health services
- 200 (3.1%) fewer jobs in Retail trade
- 100 (3.7%) more jobs in Manufacturing
Employment estimates for Wenatchee Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
This MSA employment data shows combined data from Chelan and Douglas counties.
See a snapshot of this month's data below. A detailed spreadsheet titled Current employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted is on the source page of our site.
Total jobs
| Industry | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 49,000 | 49,000 | 48,100 | 0 | 900 | 1.9% |
| - Private | 39,700 | 39,600 | 38,500 | 100 | 1,200 | 3.1% |
| - Government | 9,300 | 9,400 | 9,600 | -100 | -300 | -3.1% |
Goods-producing jobs
| Industry | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goods-producing | 6,400 | 6,500 | 6,200 | -100 | 200 | 3.2% |
| - Mining, logging and construction | 3,600 | 3,700 | 3,500 | -100 | 100 | 2.9% |
| - Manufacturing | 2,800 | 2,800 | 2,700 | 0 | 100 | 3.7% |
Service-providing jobs
| Industry | Dec 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2024 | Nov 2025 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 to Dec 2025 % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service-providing | 42,600 | 42,500 | 41,900 | 100 | 700 | 1.7% |
| - Trade, transportation, and utilities | 9,600 | 9,600 | 9,700 | 0 | -100 | -1.0% |
| - - Retail trade | 6,200 | 6,200 | 6,400 | 0 | -200 | -3.1% |
| - Private education and health services | 9,000 | 9,000 | 8,700 | 0 | 300 | 3.4% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 7,100 | 7,000 | 7,000 | 100 | 100 | 1.4% |
| - Government | 9,300 | 9,400 | 9,600 | -100 | -300 | -3.1% |
Note: Data benchmarked through June 2025, updated January 16, 2026. The current month’s data is preliminary. Analysts continue to refine past months as more related information becomes available. Industry columns uses North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) industry titles. Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Employment details for industries and sectors
This profile section uses Quarterly Census of Employment and Wage (QCEW) data.
This quarterly census data includes both agricultural and nonagricultural employment and wages for firms, organizations and individuals with employees covered by the Washington State Employment Security Act. Covered employment refers to the total number of employees with this type of coverage.
Top sectors by employment
2024’s annual average was 12,545 total covered employees.
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting - 2,479 jobs.
- Government - 2,357 jobs.
- Retail trade - 1,904 jobs.
- Accommodation and food services - 1,049 jobs.
- Healthcare and social assistance - 952 jobs.
Top sectors by wages
2024’s annual average wage was $51,442 for covered employees.
- Professional, scientific, and technical services - $97,218.
- Government - $75,842.
- Finance and insurance - $73,193.
- Wholesale trade - $69,485.
- Construction - $60,963.
2024 annual average employment by industry
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW
Workforce demographics in 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
Funding
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.