Overall unemployment rate moved down to 6.0% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2021.

Total employment in the Walla Walla, WA market declined by 550 jobs in January and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 6.0%. The national unemployment rate increased by 31 bps over the same time to 6.8%.

  • Walla Walla, WA unemployment rate is 81 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 60 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in January versus prior month by -12.1% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Walla Walla, WA Unemployment January 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.7%. Key sectors include:

  • Education & Healthcare: 7,100; +100
  • Government: 6,500; +100
  • Manufacturing: 4,100; -100
  • Transportation & Utilities: 3,900; -200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 2,200; no change
  • Financial Services: 1,000; no change
  • Business Services: 1,000; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 1,000; -100
  • Other Jobs: 600; no change
  • IT & Development: 300; no change
Walla Walla, WA Unemployment by Industry January 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2021 (Data published March 2021 and reports created on March 25, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.