Recently released employment data reveals a mixed economic picture for Benton and Franklin counties, with falling unemployment rates and modest gains in private sector employment across the Tri-Cities region. 

The state Employment Security Department released the June 2025 data on July 22. 

Benton County 

Benton County’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.7% in June 2025, down from 4.3% the previous month and 4% a year ago.  

The county’s total labor force contracted by 2.9%, shedding 3,008 workers over the past year, from June 2024 to June 2025.  

Despite a shrinking labor force, the number of unemployed residents also declined by 404 people, or 9.8%, in the same time frame, and 3,736 people were unemployed and looking for work in June 2025. 

Franklin County 

Franklin County’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.9% in June 2025, down from 5% the previous month and 4.3% a year. 

Though the county’s labor force slightly contracted by 73 workers, or 0.2%, compared to June 2024, the employed workforce increased by 84 workers, and the number of unemployed people looking for work decreased by 157 workers, or 7.8%. 

Regional job growth 

Across the two-county Kennewick-Pasco-Richland region, total nonfarm employment increased by 300 jobs, or 0.2%, over the past year, to 129,800 jobs in June 2025. The private sector added 600 jobs, or 0.5%.  

Industries posting strong gains include the transportation, warehousing and utilities sectors, which added 1,000 new jobs, or 24.4%.  

Administrative and support and waste management services within professional and business services added 400 jobs, or 3.4%, contributing to an overall sector gain of 300 jobs, or 1.3%. Leisure and hospitality grew by 100 jobs, or 0.8%, with food services and drinking places also rising by 100 jobs, or 1%. 

However, some industries saw setbacks. Manufacturing suffered the sharpest loss, shedding 1,100 jobs, or 11.1%, while financial activities and retail trade declined by 300 and 400 jobs, respectively.  

Government employment contracted by 300 jobs, or 1.5%, with state and local government positions seeing the most decline.