August 2025 highlights
Since July, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 3.1% to 3.2%, and total nonfarm employment increased by 40 jobs.
Summary
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remains low in the county, but increased to 3.2% in August 2025, up from 3.1% in July 2025 and below 3.7% in August 2024. San Juan County’s labor force had an estimated 8,771 workers. There were approximately 18 initial claim filings for unemployment insurance during the month. Total nonfarm employment was 6,780 jobs in August 2025, increasing by 40 jobs from July and 200 jobs below last year.
Location
San Juan County is located in northwest Washington state. It consists of four large islands: San Juan, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw; and hundreds of small islands, reefs and rocks. About 20 islands are inhabited. San Juan County is the smallest county in Washington by total landmass.
San Juan County is located in the Salish Sea to the west of Skagit and Whatcom counties and east of lower Vancouver Island, Canada. The islands are spectacularly scenic and a popular destination for tourists and retirees. People arrive via ferry, private boat and float plane throughout the year with a pronounced uptick in the summer. Tourism-related industries and retirement communities form the base of the San Juan County economy. While the natural beauty and relative isolation of island life supports a vibrant seasonal tourism-based economy, the relative isolation presents a challenge for economic diversification.
San Juan County is part of the Northwest Workforce Development Area. Visit the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board website for information about the 12 regions.
Employment situation for August 2025
Labor force and unemployment
-
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.2%, up from 3.1% in July and below 3.7% in August 2024.
- With 8,771 workers, the labor force expanded by 163 workers over the month but lost 392 workers compared to August 2024.
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment in San Juan County
- Total nonfarm employment added 40 jobs over the month, bringing the total estimated job count to 6,780 jobs in August 2025. Over the year, nonfarm employment was down 200 jobs.
- Construction industry jobs were up 20 jobs over the month and 10 jobs above last year.
- Service providing industry jobs were up 30 jobs over the month and 200 jobs below last year.
- Retail trade industry employment was unchanged since July and was 40 jobs below August 2024.
- Leisure and hospitality gained 30 jobs over the month and was 30 jobs below last year.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, San Juan County
| NAICS Industry Title | Aug 2025 (Prelim) | Jul 2025 (Revised) | Aug 2024 (Revised) | Jul 2025 to Aug 2025 Change | Aug 2024 to Aug 2025 Change | Aug 2024 to Aug 2025 % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm | 6,780 | 6,740 | 6,980 | 40 | -200 | -2.9% |
| Total private (total nonfarm less government) | 5,740 | 5,680 | 5,890 | 60 | -150 | -2.5% |
| Goods-producing | 1,050 | 1,020 | 1,040 | 30 | 10 | 1.0% |
| - Mining and logging | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Construction | 780 | 760 | 770 | 20 | 10 | 1.3% |
| - Manufacturing | 260 | 250 | 270 | 10 | -10 | -3.7% |
| Service-providing | 5,740 | 5,710 | 5,940 | 30 | -200 | -3.4% |
| - Wholesale trade | 60 | 60 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Retail trade | 790 | 790 | 830 | 0 | -40 | -4.8% |
| - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 230 | 230 | 250 | 0 | -20 | -8.0% |
| - Information | 120 | 120 | 130 | 0 | -10 | -7.7% |
| - Financial activities | 350 | 350 | 350 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| - Professional and business services | 660 | 660 | 700 | 0 | -40 | -5.7% |
| - Private education and health services | 480 | 460 | 450 | 20 | 30 | 6.7% |
| - Leisure and hospitality | 1,790 | 1,760 | 1,820 | 30 | -30 | -1.6% |
| - Other services | 220 | 220 | 240 | 0 | -20 | -8.3% |
| - Government | 1,040 | 1,060 | 1,090 | -20 | -50 | -4.6% |
Note: Data benchmarked through March 2025, updated September 15, 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, San Juan County 2024 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 San Juan County was 6,097 in 2024. 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 average annual employment in 2024:
- Government (1,048)
- Accommodation and food services (984)
- Retail trade (764)
- Construction (736)
- Healthcare and social assistance (366)
The average annual wage in Washington state for all industries was $92,467 in 2024. The average annual wage in San Juan County was $53,170 in 2024.
The top sectors in terms of average annual wages in 2024:
- Utilities ($124,262)
- Information ($100,730)
- Professional, scientific and technical services ($84,589)
- Finance and insurance ($66,845)
- Wholesale trade ($65,759)
Workforce demographics in San Juan County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 16 years and over | 16,243 | 53.4% | 3.1% |
| 16 to 19 years | 557 | 38.1% | 3.3% |
| 20 to 24 years | 589 | 84.6% | 3.2% |
| 25 to 29 years | 730 | 91.2% | 4.6% |
| 30 to 34 years | 829 | 88.2% | 0.7% |
| 35 to 44 years | 1,936 | 77.4% | 5.2% |
| 45 to 54 years | 2,080 | 85.5% | 4.1% |
| 55 to 59 years | 1,345 | 72.5% | 1.9% |
| 60 to 64 years | 1,775 | 55.2% | 2.0% |
| 65 to 74 years | 3,953 | 27.7% | 1.0% |
| 75 years and over | 2,449 | 9.8% | 2.1% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White alone | 14,590 | 51.9% | 3.2% |
| Black or African American alone | 31 | 77.4% | 0.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone | 83 | 59.0% | 0.0% |
| Asian alone | 195 | 37.4% | 4.1% |
| Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | 45 | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| Some other race alone | 428 | 75.5% | 0.9% |
| Two or more races | 871 | 66.6% | 2.9% |
| Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | 1,002 | 74.9% | 5.9% |
| White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | 14,284 | 51.4% | 2.8% |
| Population 20 to 64 years | 9,284 | 76.7% | 3.4% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 4,530 | 82.3% | 4.0% |
| Female | 4,754 | 71.5% | 2.7% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With own children under 18 | 1,310 | 70.5% | 1.6% |
| With own children under 6 only | 337 | 72.7% | 0.0% |
| With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | 182 | 72.5% | 9.1% |
| With own children 6 to 17 only | 791 | 69.0% | 0.5% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below poverty level | 1,082 | 48.3% | 12.0% |
| At or above the poverty level | 8,182 | 80.6% | 2.7% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| With any disability | 792 | 59.7% | 11.0% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 25 to 64 years | 8,695 | 76.2% | 3.4% |
| Less than high school graduate | 538 | 79.9% | 0.0% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 1,720 | 76.0% | 4.5% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 2,286 | 75.1% | 7.4% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 4,151 | 76.4% | 1.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status
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