{"schema_version": 1, "id": "wenatchee-wa-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09", "product": "Metro Job Market Pulse", "metro": {"geography_id": 534, "label": "Wenatchee, WA MSA", "slug": "wenatchee-wa-msa"}, "focus_area": {"key": "general_conditions", "slug": "metro-job-market", "label": "General Market Conditions"}, "period": "2026-09", "public_after": "2026-09-01", "frozen_at": "2026-10-09T13:44:08.659451+00:00", "headline": "Wenatchee's summer jobless dip hides a public-sector freeze underneath.", "headline_summary": "Chelan County unemployment fell to 3.0% in July on seasonal agriculture strength, even as a county-wide government hiring freeze and a statewide 14,500-job September decline point to softer underlying momentum.", "key_indicators": [{"label": "Chelan County unemployment rate", "value": "3.0%", "context": "Down from 3.6% in June 2026, seasonal low"}, {"label": "Washington statewide job change, Sept", "value": "-14,500 jobs", "context": "Unemployment held at 4.5% statewide"}, {"label": "Chelan County total jobs, July 2026", "value": "48,800", "context": "Unchanged month over month"}, {"label": "WA wage growth vs inflation", "value": "3.1% vs 3.5%", "context": "Real wages declining ~0.5% annually statewide"}], "takeaways": [{"headline": "Seasonal strength is flattering the headline unemployment number.", "body": "Chelan County's drop to 3.0% in July reflects peak agriculture and tourism employment, historically the county's strongest month. Expect the rate to climb again into fall as harvest work winds down, which is normal seasonality rather than new weakness."}, {"headline": "Public-sector hiring freeze is a genuine drag, not a rounding error.", "body": "Chelan County government cut 400 jobs in July alone while implementing a freeze on regular positions through year-end. That removes a traditionally stable payroll source just as statewide government employment has fallen for twelve consecutive months."}, {"headline": "Wenatchee's wage story splits sharply along blue-collar and office lines.", "body": "Construction laborer pay is up significantly to $49,612 and electricians to $76,057, while administrative assistant pay fell to $46,542 and operations manager pay dropped sharply to $100,489. That divergence tracks the national pattern of hands-on sectors outpacing white-collar roles and suggests building-trades labor supply remains the tighter local constraint."}, {"headline": "Regional WARN filings point to orchard and fruit-sector exposure.", "body": "Gilbert Orchards (518 workers) and Sundquist Fruit (243 workers) both filed September WARN notices statewide, sectors with direct presence in the Wenatchee Valley's agricultural base. Local commerce leaders should watch whether any of that volume originates in or affects Chelan-Douglas county operations specifically."}], "local_conditions": "Chelan County's unemployment rate eased to 3.0% in July from 3.6% in June, a seasonal agriculture-and-tourism rebound that masks a labor force still 48,800 jobs strong and essentially flat month over month. A county-wide hiring freeze on government positions, layered onto statewide softness that saw Washington shed roughly 14,500 jobs in September, is pulling public-sector momentum in the opposite direction from the seasonal private-sector lift.", "implications": "Seasonal tightening in agriculture and tourism is colliding with a public-sector pullback, producing a local economy that reads stronger on the surface than its underlying trajectory suggests once government hiring freezes and statewide WARN activity (including a 518-worker Gilbert Orchards notice) are factored in. Commerce leaders weighing expansion or investment timing should treat the July unemployment improvement as seasonal rather than structural, and government economists should watch whether the county hiring freeze extends into 2027 as a signal of fiscal tightening. Consider tracking Chelan County's next two monthly releases against the typical fall seasonal falloff before drawing conclusions about underlying economic health.", "looking_ahead": [{"category": "Expected", "body": "Chelan County's unemployment rate typically rises through autumn as harvest-season agricultural work ends. A move back toward or above the 4.9% level seen in May would confirm normal seasonality rather than signal new deterioration."}, {"category": "Emerging pressure point", "body": "Chelan County's government hiring freeze runs through 2026; watch whether county commissioners extend, narrow, or lift it heading into budget season, a decision with direct implications for local public-sector payroll stability."}, {"category": "Worth watching", "body": "Statewide agricultural WARN activity (Gilbert Orchards, Sundquist Fruit) warrants a local check on whether packing, processing, or orchard operations within the Wenatchee MSA specifically are affected, given the region's concentration in tree-fruit agriculture."}, {"category": "Potential inflection point", "body": "Washington's wage growth of 3.1% against 3.5% inflation statewide implies real purchasing power is eroding; watch whether Chelan County's locally posted wages for construction, healthcare, and food service keep pace or lag, which would bear directly on local consumer spending capacity."}], "roles": [{"role": "Retail Sales Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 31908.25, "metro_p50": 37633.0, "metro_p75": 42673.75, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 33325.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Retail Cashier", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 30217.0, "metro_p50": 35630.0, "metro_p75": 37710.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 31200.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Warehouse/Fulfillment Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 34224.0, "metro_p50": 39115.0, "metro_p75": 41204.5, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 38000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "CDL Truck Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 58916.0, "metro_p50": 74243.8, "metro_p75": 83917.5, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 78000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Delivery Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 33629.0, "metro_p50": 39804.0, "metro_p75": 51498.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 34344.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Construction Laborer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 35391.75, "metro_p50": 49612.0, "metro_p75": 50118.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 40560.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Electrician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 58522.75, "metro_p50": 76057.0, "metro_p75": 83200.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 71404.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Manufacturing Production Worker/Assembler", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 34362.0, "metro_p50": 41600.0, "metro_p75": 48495.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Customer Service Representative", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 34801.0, "metro_p50": 39520.0, "metro_p75": 43680.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Food Service Worker", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 31779.75, "metro_p50": 39263.0, "metro_p75": 42785.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 33756.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Certified Nursing Assistant / Home Health Aide", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 38612.0, "metro_p50": 47320.0, "metro_p75": 51480.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 41106.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Administrative Assistant/Office Clerk", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 34903.25, "metro_p50": 46541.6, "metro_p75": 55221.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 43680.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "HVAC Technician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 62472.75, "metro_p50": 74607.2, "metro_p75": 83200.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 70720.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Registered Nurse", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 91549.0, "metro_p50": 113924.8, "metro_p75": 124123.25, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 102581.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Software Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 121435.0, "metro_p50": 159771.0, "metro_p75": 177111.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 153652.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Data Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 100010.25, "metro_p50": 140337.0, "metro_p75": 158679.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 139500.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Accountant", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 60127.0, "metro_p50": 72801.2, "metro_p75": 81621.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 72182.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Financial Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 78194.0, "metro_p50": 100204.0, "metro_p75": 108871.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 94782.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "HR Generalist/Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 52306.5, "metro_p50": 82371.4, "metro_p75": 90000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Marketing Specialist", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 44410.0, "metro_p50": 60297.2, "metro_p75": 73074.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 62354.4, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Operations Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 79388.5, "metro_p50": 100489.0, "metro_p75": 105250.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 85216.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Elementary/Secondary School Teacher", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 49507.0, "metro_p50": 62761.6, "metro_p75": 68802.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 56731.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Account Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 63962.5, "metro_p50": 100000.0, "metro_p75": 122461.5, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 92749.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Warehouse Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 51506.0, "metro_p50": 75000.0, "metro_p75": 80000.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Business Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 84255.0, "metro_p50": 101068.2, "metro_p75": 112698.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 98279.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}], "industry_snapshot": [{"sector": "Construction", "median_pay": 95621.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Manufacturing", "median_pay": 119725.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Retail Trade", "median_pay": 120947.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities", "median_pay": 67418.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Information", "median_pay": 131070.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Financial Activities", "median_pay": 108000.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Professional & Business Services", "median_pay": 104000.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Education & Health Services", "median_pay": 83817.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Leisure & Hospitality", "median_pay": 43742.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Government", "median_pay": 77219.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}], "citations": [], "methodology": "Advertised pay from active employer job postings, not survey data. WageScape's median is calibrated to correct for spurious low-value postings: distribution analysis shows roughly the lowest 10% of raw values are erroneous entries, so the reported median is the 60th percentile of raw advertised pay.", "edition_label": "October 2026", "files": {"html": "wenatchee-wa-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.html", "pdf": "wenatchee-wa-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.pdf", "sources_html": "wenatchee-wa-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.sources.html"}, "published_at": "2026-10-09T14:37:51.985260+00:00", "report_html_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/wenatchee-wa-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.html", "report_pdf_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/wenatchee-wa-msa/metro-job-market/2026-09.pdf"}