After months of seeing the number of unemployed workers trend upward, July saw the number of those seeking work in the Tri-Cities decline to levels not seen since last year. However, the improvement was accompanied by a contraction in the region’s overall labor pool. 

The combined unemployment rate for the Tri-City metropolitan area was 3.8% for July with just over 6,900 people seeking work, according to data released by the state Employment Security Department. That’s an improvement from June’s 4.2% rate where nearly 7,700 were out of work and an even better position compared to July 2025, when the region’s unemployment was 4.5% with nearly 8,300 looking for jobs. 

But there’s also fewer workers in the region in general. The Tri-Cities labor force was estimated at just under 182,000 workers in July, about 1,500 fewer than in the prior month and roughly 2,800 fewer than a year ago. 

The numbers follow the trend the rest of the state saw in July. The Tri-Cities continue to fare better, with Washington’s unemployment rate at 5%, which is still a decline from the prior month.  

“July marks a third consecutive month of job growth statewide,” said Anneliese Vance-Sherman, chief labor economist for the Employment Security Department, in a statement. “Private sector job growth was widespread, with the largest gains showing in the service economy.” 

However, the Mid-Columbia's labor pool contraction over the past year was worse than that at the state level and the Seattle metro area.