Washington · individual fact

Washington unemployment rate

State unemployment, employed residents, broader underutilization, and employment growth.

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Annual unemployment rate4.5%2024 · #7 of 50 · highest first

Civilian employed residents3,858,0572024 · #13 of 50 · highest first

U-1 · unemployed 15 weeks or longer2%2025 · 11-month average · #5 of 50 · highest first

Washington over time

Explore Washington readings, major events and reviewed actions on the same date scale. Washington officeholders appear in separate lanes. National event evidence describes national context; it does not measure a Washington effect.

ChartDate range

Action typeStatusFind an action

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Major events & context · A curated selection, including uncertain effects. Milestone dates do not establish that an event caused a Washington change.

Show Washington actionsShow U.S. benchmark where published

Enacted / issuedDid not proceedPending / in progressStatus unclear

Colors show the latest recorded status. Passing one chamber is not enactment. A number groups actions with the same date, body and status.

Annual unemployment rate Washington · source units

WashingtonPublished U.S. benchmark

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38 of 38 reviewed Washington actions match · 26 date markers shown. 15 major events shown separately.

Washington · 2024: 4.5% · Rank #7 of 50, highest first · U.S. benchmark: 4%

Unemployed residents as a percentage of the civilian labor force, using BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics annual averages. LAUS estimates are revised each year through the program's annual processing cycle. Employment is residence-based civilian employment, not a count of jobs located in the state. Annual averages smooth within-year changes. Annual observations use December 31; monthly observations use the first of the month. Lines connect consecutive readings and do not supply values between them. Missing observations break the lines.

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Washington Annual unemployment rate · source units
Period	Washington	Rank	U.S. benchmark
2024	4.5%	#7 of 50	4%
2023	4.2%	#6 of 50	Not available
2022	4.1%	#9 of 50	Not available
2021	5.2%	#20 of 50	Not available
2020	8.7%	#11 of 50	Not available
2019	4.2%	#8 of 50	Not available
2018	4.4%	#8 of 50	Not available
2017	4.7%	#14 of 50	Not available
2016	5.2%	#14 of 50	Not available
2015	5.5%	#17 of 50	Not available

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED · Local Area Unemployment Statistics: statewide annual averages ↗

How major events are selected

The timeline combines the corresponding national fact’s reviewed event catalog, labeled National context, with individually reviewed state milestones. State events use primary sources and distinguish signing, effective and filing dates. Each milestone keeps its source-check date, geographical limits and evidence limits. This curated selection is not a complete history.

Date ranges affect events and actions. Action type, status and official-name search affect government records only. Events remain separate from action counts. An event after the latest observation extends context without creating a new reading.

Washington · state comparison

Employment and unemployment over time

LAUS annual averages measure state residents. Compare unemployment rates or the number of employed residents.

MeasureComparison period

Washington · 20244.5%

Washington rank#7among all 50 states

U.S. benchmark4%Same measure and period when published

#1 is the highest value. Ties share a rank and leave gaps. D.C. and territories are excluded. Rank describes the measured value; it is not an overall score of the state.

Annual unemployment rate

Unemployed residents as a percentage of the civilian labor force, using BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics annual averages.

LAUS estimates are revised each year through the program's annual processing cycle. Employment is residence-based civilian employment, not a count of jobs located in the state. Annual averages smooth within-year changes.

Hover to inspect. Click or tap to compare that period with every state. Focus the graph and use arrow keys, Home or End to select a period. Press Escape to return to the latest period.

WashingtonShow U.S. benchmark

2024 · Washington: 4.5% · Rank #7 of 50, highest first · U.S. benchmark: 4% · Selected for state comparison

View history and select a period

Washington Annual unemployment rate history
Period	Washington	Compare
2015	5.5%
2016	5.2%
2017	4.7%
2018	4.4%
2019	4.2%
2020	8.7%
2021	5.2%
2022	4.1%
2023	4.2%
2024	4.5%

Compare states on the graph

Hover or focus a bar to inspect its value and rank. Use the up and down arrows, Home or End to explore states. Click, tap or press Enter to keep a state selected. Washington stays highlighted. Values use the same measure and period.

Inspect a stateGraph order

Explore the map: hover or focus a state to inspect it, then click or tap to select it. Arrow keys move between states alphabetically. Washington has a dark outline.

Lower value · 1.8%Higher value · 5.4%Striped: unavailable

Color shows this measure’s value, not an overall state score. Select a state on the map, graph or dropdown to read its value, rank and comparison limits below.

Washington · 4.5%2024 · Rank #7 of 50, highest firstSelected state

50 states shown · scroll to explore every state. Missing values have no bar and are excluded from ranks. Bars start at zero; #1 means the highest value.

Compare Washington with every state · 50 ranked

Table order

Annual unemployment rate · 2024 · highest value ranked #1
Rank	State	Value	Comparison notes
#1	Nevada	5.4%	—
#2	California	5.3%	—
#3	Illinois	5%	—
#4	Kentucky	4.8%	—
#5	Michigan	4.7%	—
#6	New Jersey	4.6%	—
#7	Alaska	4.5%	—
#7	Washington · your comparison	4.5%	—
#9	Ohio	4.4%	—
#10	Louisiana	4.3%	—
#10	Oregon	4.3%	—
#12	New York	4.2%	—
#12	Rhode Island	4.2%	—
#14	Colorado	4.1%	—
#14	New Mexico	4.1%	—
#14	South Carolina	4.1%	—
#14	Texas	4.1%	—
#14	West Virginia	4.1%	—
#19	Indiana	4%	—
#19	Massachusetts	4%	—
#21	Delaware	3.9%	—
#22	Pennsylvania	3.8%	—
#23	Arizona	3.7%	—
#23	Missouri	3.7%	—
#23	North Carolina	3.7%	—
#26	Idaho	3.6%	—
#27	Arkansas	3.5%	—
#27	Kansas	3.5%	—
#29	Florida	3.4%	—
#29	Georgia	3.4%	—
#29	Tennessee	3.4%	—
#32	Connecticut	3.3%	—
#32	Utah	3.3%	—
#34	Iowa	3.2%	—
#34	Maryland	3.2%	—
#34	Mississippi	3.2%	—
#34	Oklahoma	3.2%	—
#38	Minnesota	3.1%	—
#38	Wyoming	3.1%	—
#40	Alabama	3%	—
#40	Maine	3%	—
#40	Montana	3%	—
#40	Wisconsin	3%	—
#44	Virginia	2.9%	—
#45	Hawaii	2.8%	—
#46	Nebraska	2.7%	—
#47	New Hampshire	2.6%	—
#48	North Dakota	2.4%	—
#49	Vermont	2.3%	—
#50	South Dakota	1.8%	—

All 50 states are listed, including states without a comparable observation. Ranks use stored source precision; displayed values may round to the same number.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED · Local Area Unemployment Statistics: statewide annual averages ↗

Washington · state comparison

Behind the unemployment rate

The reviewed 2025 CPS snapshot includes both U-3 and the broader U-6 measure. It is separate from the LAUS annual history.

MeasureComparison period

Washington · 2025 · 11-month average2%

Washington rank#5among all 50 states

U.S. benchmark1.6%Same measure and period when published

#1 is the highest value. Ties share a rank and leave gaps. D.C. and territories are excluded. Rank describes the measured value; it is not an overall score of the state.

U-1 · unemployed 15 weeks or longer

Unemployed 15 weeks or longer as a share of the civilian labor force.

2025 CPS averages exclude October because data were not collected during the federal shutdown. Not strictly comparable with other-year averages. These directly surveyed CPS estimates differ from LAUS model-based estimates. All states use the same 11 months here.

Compare states on the graph

Inspect a stateGraph order

Explore the map: hover or focus a state to inspect it, then click or tap to select it. Arrow keys move between states alphabetically. Washington has a dark outline.

Lower value · 0.6%Higher value · 2.4%Striped: unavailable

Color shows this measure’s value, not an overall state score. Select a state on the map, graph or dropdown to read its value, rank and comparison limits below.

Washington · 2%2025 · 11-month average · Rank #5 of 50, highest firstSelected state

50 states shown · scroll to explore every state. Missing values have no bar and are excluded from ranks. Bars start at zero; #1 means the highest value.

Compare Washington with every state · 50 ranked

Table order

U-1 · unemployed 15 weeks or longer · 2025 · 11-month average · highest value ranked #1
Rank	State	Value	Comparison notes
#1	California	2.4%	—
#2	Oregon	2.2%	—
#3	Illinois	2.1%	—
#3	New York	2.1%	—
#5	Connecticut	2%	—
#5	Rhode Island	2%	—
#5	Washington · your comparison	2%	—
#8	Massachusetts	1.9%	—
#8	Nevada	1.9%	—
#8	New Jersey	1.9%	—
#11	Delaware	1.8%	—
#11	Virginia	1.8%	—
#13	Louisiana	1.7%	—
#13	Michigan	1.7%	—
#13	West Virginia	1.7%	—
#16	Alaska	1.6%	—
#16	Florida	1.6%	—
#16	Mississippi	1.6%	—
#16	New Mexico	1.6%	—
#16	Ohio	1.6%	—
#16	Pennsylvania	1.6%	—
#22	Colorado	1.5%	—
#22	Kentucky	1.5%	—
#22	Maryland	1.5%	—
#22	Texas	1.5%	—
#26	Arizona	1.4%	—
#26	Georgia	1.4%	—
#28	Arkansas	1.3%	—
#28	Iowa	1.3%	—
#28	North Carolina	1.3%	—
#28	Oklahoma	1.3%	—
#28	South Carolina	1.3%	—
#33	Kansas	1.2%	—
#33	Minnesota	1.2%	—
#33	New Hampshire	1.2%	—
#33	Wisconsin	1.2%	—
#37	Tennessee	1.1%	—
#37	Utah	1.1%	—
#39	Idaho	1%	—
#39	Indiana	1%	—
#39	Nebraska	1%	—
#42	Alabama	0.9%	—
#42	Maine	0.9%	—
#42	Missouri	0.9%	—
#42	Wyoming	0.9%	—
#46	Hawaii	0.7%	—
#46	Montana	0.7%	—
#46	South Dakota	0.7%	—
#46	Vermont	0.7%	—
#50	North Dakota	0.6%	—

All 50 states are listed, including states without a comparable observation. Ranks use stored source precision; displayed values may round to the same number.

BLS / CPS · 2025 alternative labor-underutilization measures by state ↗

Washington · state comparison

Output and jobs

Annual real output growth and BEA job growth provide economic context. Neither is the unemployment rate.

MeasureComparison period

Washington · 20253.2%

Washington rank#5among all 50 states

U.S. benchmark2.3%Same measure and period when published

#1 is the highest value. Ties share a rank and leave gaps. D.C. and territories are excluded. Rank describes the measured value; it is not an overall score of the state.

Annual real GDP growth

Change in annual real GDP from the prior year.

Annual estimates; the downloaded BEA snapshot is retained with a source hash. Revisions can change historical values and ranks.

Hover to inspect. Click or tap to compare that period with every state. Focus the graph and use arrow keys, Home or End to select a period. Press Escape to return to the latest period.

WashingtonShow U.S. benchmark

2025 · Washington: 3.2% · Rank #5 of 50, highest first · U.S. benchmark: 2.3% · Selected for state comparison

View history and select a period

Washington Annual real GDP growth history
Period	Washington	Compare
2015	4.5%
2016	4%
2017	6.3%
2018	6.6%
2019	4.8%
2020	-0.4%
2021	6.9%
2022	2.4%
2023	3.9%
2024	4.1%
2025	3.2%

Compare states on the graph

Inspect a stateGraph order

Explore the map: hover or focus a state to inspect it, then click or tap to select it. Arrow keys move between states alphabetically. Washington has a dark outline.

Lower value · -0.4%Higher value · 5.1%Striped: unavailable

Color shows this measure’s value, not an overall state score. Select a state on the map, graph or dropdown to read its value, rank and comparison limits below.

Washington · 3.2%2025 · Rank #5 of 50, highest firstSelected state

50 states shown · scroll to explore every state. Missing values have no bar and are excluded from ranks. Bars start at zero; #1 means the highest value.

Compare Washington with every state · 50 ranked

Table order

Annual real GDP growth · 2025 · highest value ranked #1
Rank	State	Value	Comparison notes
#1	Delaware	5.1%	—
#2	Alaska	4.7%	—
#3	California	3.5%	—
#4	South Carolina	3.3%	—
#5	Washington · your comparison	3.2%	—
#6	Idaho	3.1%	—
#7	Kentucky	3%	—
#8	Georgia	2.9%	—
#9	Texas	2.8%	—
#10	West Virginia	2.8%	—
#11	Florida	2.8%	—
#12	Rhode Island	2.8%	—
#13	Utah	2.7%	—
#14	Illinois	2.6%	—
#15	New York	2.5%	—
#16	Connecticut	2.5%	—
#17	Ohio	2.4%	—
#18	Virginia	2.3%	—
#19	Oklahoma	2.2%	—
#20	Michigan	2.2%	—
#21	Tennessee	2.1%	—
#22	New Jersey	2%	—
#23	Nevada	2%	—
#24	Montana	2%	—
#25	Alabama	2%	—
#26	Vermont	1.9%	—
#27	Colorado	1.9%	—
#28	Indiana	1.9%	—
#29	Pennsylvania	1.8%	—
#30	North Carolina	1.8%	—
#31	New Mexico	1.8%	—
#32	South Dakota	1.8%	—
#33	New Hampshire	1.7%	—
#34	Louisiana	1.5%	—
#35	Hawaii	1.5%	—
#36	Arizona	1.5%	—
#37	Maine	1.4%	—
#38	Oregon	1.4%	—
#39	Massachusetts	1.3%	—
#40	Mississippi	1.3%	—
#41	Nebraska	1.3%	—
#42	Missouri	1.2%	—
#43	Kansas	1%	—
#44	Arkansas	0.9%	—
#45	Wisconsin	0.8%	—
#46	Maryland	0.8%	—
#47	Minnesota	0.7%	—
#48	North Dakota	0.5%	—
#49	Wyoming	0.1%	—
#50	Iowa	-0.4%	—

All 50 states are listed, including states without a comparable observation. Ranks use stored source precision; displayed values may round to the same number.

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · BEA SASUMMARY, line 1 ↗

Washington · state comparison

Job openings, hires, layoffs, and worker groups

A state unemployment rate does not capture all unused labor or job-market turnover.

MeasureComparison period

Washington · December 2025110,000

Washington rank#21among all 50 states

U.S. benchmark6,550,000Same measure and period when published

#1 is the highest value. Ties share a rank and leave gaps. D.C. and territories are excluded. Rank describes the measured value; it is not an overall score of the state.

Openings · number

Number of jobs or monthly employment flows; published thousands converted to individual units.

Seasonally adjusted state JOLTS estimates, July–December 2025 as printed in the captured table. Recent estimates are preliminary and revisions can change ranks. Openings are a month-end stock; hires, quits, and layoffs are monthly flows, not distinct workers.

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WashingtonShow U.S. benchmark

December 2025 · Washington: 110,000 · Rank #21 of 50, highest first · U.S. benchmark: 6,550,000 · Selected for state comparison

View history and select a period

Washington Openings · number history
Period	Washington	Compare
July 2025	131,000
August 2025	122,000
September 2025	128,000
October 2025	137,000
November 2025	106,000
December 2025	110,000

Compare states on the graph

Inspect a stateGraph order

Explore the map: hover or focus a state to inspect it, then click or tap to select it. Arrow keys move between states alphabetically. Washington has a dark outline.

Lower value · 11,000Higher value · 674,000Striped: unavailable

Color shows this measure’s value, not an overall state score. Select a state on the map, graph or dropdown to read its value, rank and comparison limits below.

Washington · 110,000December 2025 · Rank #21 of 50, highest firstSelected state

50 states shown · scroll to explore every state. Missing values have no bar and are excluded from ranks. Bars start at zero; #1 means the highest value.

Compare Washington with every state · 50 ranked

Table order

Openings · number · December 2025 · highest value ranked #1
Rank	State	Value	Comparison notes
#1	California	674,000	—
#2	Texas	608,000	—
#3	New York	431,000	—
#4	Florida	404,000	—
#5	Ohio	287,000	—
#6	Georgia	279,000	—
#7	Pennsylvania	235,000	—
#8	Michigan	221,000	—
#9	Virginia	213,000	—
#10	North Carolina	212,000	—
#11	Illinois	211,000	—
#12	New Jersey	172,000	—
#13	Tennessee	143,000	—
#14	Minnesota	135,000	—
#15	Massachusetts	129,000	—
#16	Missouri	128,000	—
#17	Maryland	127,000	—
#18	Indiana	123,000	—
#19	Arizona	121,000	—
#20	Wisconsin	115,000	—
#21	Washington · your comparison	110,000	—
#22	South Carolina	103,000	—
#23	Louisiana	101,000	—
#23	Oklahoma	101,000	—
#25	Colorado	100,000	—
#26	Kentucky	92,000	—
#27	Alabama	91,000	—
#28	Oregon	72,000	—
#29	Connecticut	67,000	—
#30	Utah	64,000	—
#31	Kansas	61,000	—
#32	Arkansas	60,000	—
#33	Mississippi	59,000	—
#34	Iowa	57,000	—
#35	Nevada	52,000	—
#36	West Virginia	42,000	—
#37	Nebraska	38,000	—
#38	Idaho	34,000	—
#39	New Mexico	32,000	—
#40	Maine	28,000	—
#41	Delaware	23,000	—
#42	Montana	22,000	—
#42	New Hampshire	22,000	—
#42	Rhode Island	22,000	—
#45	South Dakota	20,000	—
#46	Hawaii	19,000	—
#47	North Dakota	18,000	—
#48	Alaska	16,000	—
#49	Vermont	11,000	—
#49	Wyoming	11,000	—

All 50 states are listed, including states without a comparable observation. Ranks use stored source precision; displayed values may round to the same number.

BLS · State JOLTS · openings ↗

Washington officeholders

Explore current officeholders and explicitly reviewed historical executive officials, labeled at the time of their actions. Timeline dates, action type, status and search also filter this list. Read any record’s summary, latest recorded status and official evidence below, or open it beside the timeline.

38 of 38 reviewed Washington actions · newest first

Jun 24, 2026 · S.4919 · Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act · Introduced

U.S. Congress · Washington delegation · S.4919

Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act

Jun 24, 2026 · Introduced

Sen. Patty Murray · Sponsored

FactVote summary

The bill would amend federal wage laws to require specified worker disclosures, paystubs, and final payments within 14 days or by the employer’s next pay date, whichever is earlier. It would increase damages, civil fines, and certain criminal referrals for wage violations; extend applicable limitation periods to four years, or five years for willful violations; and suspend those periods during certain Labor Department investigations. It would also direct the Labor Secretary to provide competitive grants to eligible entities and community partners for wage-law enforcement, education, outreach, and back-pay recovery, with grants lasting up to three years.

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Why this record is included

The official record directly addresses wages, earned-income relief, unemployment compensation, paid leave, or other household-income components. It does not establish an effect on Washington's median household income.

Retained Washington evidence context: Median household income. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and the Portal-to-Portal Act of 1947 to prevent wage theft and assist in the recovery of stolen wages, to authorize the Secretary of Labor to administer grants to prevent wage and hour violations, and for other purposes

Review official supporting evidence ↗

Official record ↗Open in FactVote →Sen. Patty Murray’s profile ↗

Inspect this action on the timeline ↑

Mar 12, 2026 · SB 5061 · Requiring certain wages in public works contracts to be at least the prevailing wage in effect when the work is performed. · By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.

Washington Legislature · SB 5061

Requiring certain wages in public works contracts to be at least the prevailing wage in effect when the work is performed.

Mar 12, 2026 · By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.

Sen. Steve Conway · Sponsored

FactVote reviewed summary

Requiring certain wages in public works contracts to be at least the prevailing wage in effect when the work is performed. AN ACT Relating to requiring wages for laborers, workers, and mechanics in public works contracts to be at least the prevailing rate of wage in effect at the time the work is performed;

The latest official Washington Legislature record shows this action on March 12, 2026: By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading..

Why this record is included

Retained Washington evidence context: Median household income. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Requiring certain wages in public works contracts to be at least the prevailing wage in effect when the work is performed. AN ACT Relating to requiring wages for laborers, workers, and mechanics in public works contracts to be at least the prevailing rate of wage in effect at the time the work is performed;

Review official supporting evidence ↗

Official record ↗Sen. Steve Conway’s profile ↗

Inspect this action on the timeline ↑

Mar 12, 2026 · S.4081 · Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act · Introduced

U.S. Congress · Washington delegation · S.4081

Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act

Mar 12, 2026 · Introduced

Sen. Patty Murray · Sponsored

FactVote summary

This bill would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to remove specified minimum-wage and overtime exemptions for certain caregiving employees. It would retain an exemption for casual babysitting services and define babysitting services as custodial care and protection of infants or children in or about their private home, excluding services performed by trained personnel such as nurses and home care workers. Casual-basis babysitting would mean irregular or intermittent employment that is not performed by someone whose vocation is babysitting, and related household work could comprise no more than 20 percent of total hours worked while providing babysitting services.

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Why this record is included

Retained Washington evidence context: Median household income. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to ensure that certain caregiving employees are no longer exempted from overtime and minimum wage protections

Review official supporting evidence ↗

Official record ↗Open in FactVote →Sen. Patty Murray’s profile ↗

Inspect this action on the timeline ↑

Feb 2, 2026 · HB 2716 · Restoring the public utility tax credit for low-income assistance. · First reading, referred to Finance.

Washington Legislature · HB 2716

Restoring the public utility tax credit for low-income assistance.

Feb 2, 2026 · First reading, referred to Finance.

Rep. Ed Orcutt · Sponsored

FactVote reviewed summary

Restoring the public utility tax credit for low-income assistance. AN ACT Relating to a public utility tax credit for low-income assistance;

The latest official Washington Legislature record shows this action on February 2, 2026: First reading, referred to Finance..

Why this record is included

Retained Washington evidence context: Median household income. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Restoring the public utility tax credit for low-income assistance. AN ACT Relating to a public utility tax credit for low-income assistance;

Review official supporting evidence ↗

Official record ↗Rep. Ed Orcutt’s profile ↗

Inspect this action on the timeline ↑

Jan 16, 2026 · HB 2538 · Increasing pay equity for part-time faculty. · First reading, referred to Postsecondary Education & Workforce.

Washington Legislature · HB 2538

Increasing pay equity for part-time faculty.

Jan 16, 2026 · First reading, referred to Postsecondary Education & Workforce.

Rep. Gerry Pollet · Sponsored

FactVote reviewed summary

Increasing pay equity for part-time faculty. AN ACT Relating to pay equity for part-time faculty;

The latest official Washington Legislature record shows this action on January 16, 2026: First reading, referred to Postsecondary Education & Workforce..

Why this record is included

Retained Washington evidence context: Median household income. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Increasing pay equity for part-time faculty. AN ACT Relating to pay equity for part-time faculty;

Review official supporting evidence ↗

Official record ↗Rep. Gerry Pollet’s profile ↗

Inspect this action on the timeline ↑

Jan 12, 2026 · HB 1619 · Concerning paid family leave premium collection for dockworkers. · Introduced

Washington Legislature · HB 1619

Concerning paid family leave premium collection for dockworkers.

Jan 12, 2026 · Introduced

Rep. Lisa Parshley · Sponsored

FactVote reviewed summary

Concerning paid family leave premium collection for dockworkers. AN ACT Relating to paid family leave premium collection for dockworkers;

The latest official Washington Legislature record shows this action on January 12, 2026: By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status..

Why this record is included

Retained Washington evidence context: Median household income. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Concerning paid family leave premium collection for dockworkers. AN ACT Relating to paid family leave premium collection for dockworkers;

Review official supporting evidence ↗

Official record ↗Rep. Lisa Parshley’s profile ↗

Inspect this action on the timeline ↑

How Washington action records are selected

Records come from published fact relationships or reviewed topic records with official supporting evidence and verified Washington officeholder attribution. Historical executive officials require evidence tied to the action date and are excluded from incumbent proposals. Inclusion follows an explicit topic review, a related state fact, or the action’s title and supporting evidence. Explicit topic reviews take priority; repeated actions use the most recent explicit review for this topic. Duplicate actions attached to several facts appear once. This topic match is not a new finding that an action caused a result, and the reviewed collection is selective. Collection reviewed Sep 4, 2026.

What candidates are saying

Explore statements about unemployment, jobs and workforce issues from FactVote’s Washington candidate profiles. Compare candidates within each recorded race, with each person’s matching statements kept together. These are candidate and campaign statements, not verified outcomes.

RaceConnection to this factFind a candidate or statement

36 statements from 12 candidates

2026 Washington U.S. House — District 1 — General Election

2 candidates with matching statements · 7 statements

Mary Silva

2 statements

Republican · U.S. House District 1 · WA

Jobs & workforce context

Vocational Training & Reskilling Expand apprenticeships, federal reskilling programs, and trade education as fast-track alternatives to four-year degrees, helping young workers earn high salaries sooner.

Read exact statement & source

Source topic or question: Tech Sovereignty, American Jobs & Workforce Development

Candidate campaign source

Vocational Training & Reskilling Expand apprenticeships, federal reskilling programs, and trade education as fast-track alternatives to four-year degrees, helping young workers earn high salaries sooner.

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 16, 2026

Mary Silva — candidate-owned primary source 3 ↗

Original source ↗

View 1 more statement from Mary Silva

Jobs & workforce context

H-1B Visa Reform & Local Hiring Restructure the H-1B visa program to curb tech offshoring and incentivize corporations to prioritize local American talent over foreign labor.

Read exact statement & source

Source topic or question: Tech Sovereignty, American Jobs & Workforce Development

Candidate campaign source

H-1B Visa Reform & Local Hiring Restructure the H-1B visa program to curb tech offshoring and incentivize corporations to prioritize local American talent over foreign labor.

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 16, 2026

Mary Silva — candidate-owned primary source 3 ↗

Original source ↗

Candidate profile →

Suzan DelBene

5 statements

Democratic · U.S. House District 1 · WA

Jobs & workforce context

As a member of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, I am focused on modernizing the tax code and creating policies that are fair for all Americans and give businesses the ability to plan for the future. Tax policy should focus on growing the middle class and providing economic opportunity. Thro…

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Source topic or question: Economic Security and Rising Costs for Families

Candidate campaign source

As a member of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, I am focused on modernizing the tax code and creating policies that are fair for all Americans and give businesses the ability to plan for the future. Tax policy should focus on growing the middle class and providing economic opportunity. Through a modernized tax code, we can also invest more in America, encouraging job creation and innovation. Congress should focus on simplifying our tax code by eliminating inefficient and unfair tax breaks and subsidies that no longer make sense in today’s global economy. Any time our federal government offers a tax break or subsidy, we should consider it as an investment and evaluate whether we are getting an adequate return. We must also stop governing retroactively and with short-term policies that Congress must extend each year. Families and businesses need predictability and stability.

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 16, 2026

Suzan DelBene — candidate-owned primary source 5 ↗

Original source ↗

View 4 more statements from Suzan DelBene

Jobs & workforce context

Women make up 47 percent of the workforce and are the primary or sole income earner for nearly half of America’s families. It’s simple: when women succeed, America succeeds. I’m fighting for strong, commonsense policies that address the economic challenges facing women and families. We can do more b…

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Source topic or question: Working families, child care, wages, and paid leave

Candidate campaign source

Women make up 47 percent of the workforce and are the primary or sole income earner for nearly half of America’s families. It’s simple: when women succeed, America succeeds. I’m fighting for strong, commonsense policies that address the economic challenges facing women and families. We can do more by providing paid family leave, expanding access to affordable childcare, ensuring equal pay for equal work, and raising the minimum wage.

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 16, 2026

Suzan DelBene — candidate-owned primary source 11 ↗

Original source ↗

Jobs & workforce context

While our economy grew because of Democrats’ economic policies, including the expansion of the Child Tax Credit, under the Trump administration many families are struggling with rising costs including the price of gas, housing, and child care. I’m committed to creating an economy that works for ever…

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Source topic or question: Economic Security and Rising Costs for Families

Candidate campaign source

While our economy grew because of Democrats’ economic policies, including the expansion of the Child Tax Credit, under the Trump administration many families are struggling with rising costs including the price of gas, housing, and child care. I’m committed to creating an economy that works for everyone by helping our small businesses and local industries rebuild so they can support good-paying jobs for years to come, including in the aerospace, manufacturing, high-tech, sustainable agriculture, clean energy, and health care industries. We must support businesses that are creating jobs and invest in the training, education, and skills of our workers to ensure they are prepared for success. This has been a long-term commitment of mine since I secured $200 million to expand job training opportunities during my first term in Congress.

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 16, 2026

Suzan DelBene — candidate-owned primary source 5 ↗

Original source ↗

Jobs & workforce context

To spur job growth and drive our economy forward, we must pass comprehensive immigration reform. I helped introduce legislation during my first term that would create an earned path to citizenship for those who are here, working, and with no criminal record. It would make our nation safer, while als…

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Source topic or question: Immigration and border policy

Candidate campaign source

To spur job growth and drive our economy forward, we must pass comprehensive immigration reform. I helped introduce legislation during my first term that would create an earned path to citizenship for those who are here, working, and with no criminal record. It would make our nation safer, while also eliminating backlogs, reuniting families, and would meet the demands of our nation’s economy today and into tomorrow. I will continue to keep fighting for comprehensive immigration reform.

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 16, 2026

Suzan DelBene — candidate-owned primary source 8 ↗

Original source ↗

Jobs & workforce context

Washington is a leader in the emerging green economy. Our innovative industries and talented workforce lead the nation in developing the next generation of clean energy technologies. Energy policy is deeply tied to addressing climate change. To make America a sustainable, energy-independent global l…

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Source topic or question: Energy, Environment, and Climate Change

Candidate campaign source

Washington is a leader in the emerging green economy. Our innovative industries and talented workforce lead the nation in developing the next generation of clean energy technologies. Energy policy is deeply tied to addressing climate change. To make America a sustainable, energy-independent global leader, we must reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and foreign oil. It’s urgent that we transform our economy into one based on clean and renewable energy sources, and I will continue to fight back against any efforts by the Trump administration to undo our progress toward a cleaner, healthier future.

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 16, 2026

Suzan DelBene — candidate-owned primary source 9 ↗

Original source ↗

Candidate profile →

2026 Washington U.S. House — District 10 — General Election

1 candidate with matching statements · 1 statement

Marilyn Strickland

1 statement

Democratic · U.S. House District 10 · WA

Jobs & workforce context

Create jobs and strengthen the economy for working people and small businesses.

Read exact statement & source

Source topic or question: Jobs

Candidate campaign source

Create jobs and strengthen the economy for working people and small businesses.

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 23, 2026

Marilyn Strickland — candidate-owned primary source 4 ↗

Original source ↗

Candidate profile →

2026 Washington U.S. House — District 2 — General Election

1 candidate with matching statements · 3 statements

Rick Larsen

3 statements

Democratic · U.S. House District 2 · WA

Jobs & workforce context

The administration’s freeze and clawback of transportation grants has put billions of dollars, hundreds of thousands of jobs and tens of thousands of projects at risk. I will continue standing up for families who depend on safe and reliable transportation every day and for communities who depend on …

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Source topic or question: Economy, jobs, taxes, and affordability

Candidate campaign source

The administration’s freeze and clawback of transportation grants has put billions of dollars, hundreds of thousands of jobs and tens of thousands of projects at risk. I will continue standing up for families who depend on safe and reliable transportation every day and for communities who depend on infrastructure investments to create jobs.

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 16, 2026

Rick Larsen — candidate-owned primary source 4 ↗

Original source ↗

View 2 more statements from Rick Larsen

Jobs & workforce context

Creating local jobs is essential to lowering costs. I will continue to bring economic investments to Northwest Washington, create good-paying jobs, and expand access to affordable childcare so working families can succeed. I will continue to combat the opioid and fentanyl threat in our communities b…

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Source topic or question: Immigration and border policy

Candidate campaign source

Creating local jobs is essential to lowering costs. I will continue to bring economic investments to Northwest Washington, create good-paying jobs, and expand access to affordable childcare so working families can succeed. I will continue to combat the opioid and fentanyl threat in our communities by supporting our local law enforcement and ensuring ICE agents follow the same rules as all other law enforcement agencies.

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 16, 2026

2026 Washington official voter-guide statement — Rick Larsen ↗

Original source ↗

Jobs & workforce context

Creating good-paying jobs and expanding skills training are critical in addressing rising costs. I believe that transportation investment, domestic manufacturing, apprenticeship pathways, community and technical colleges, and strong labor protections are essential to long-term affordability because …

Read exact statement & source

Source topic or question: Housing affordability

Candidate campaign source

Creating good-paying jobs and expanding skills training are critical in addressing rising costs. I believe that transportation investment, domestic manufacturing, apprenticeship pathways, community and technical colleges, and strong labor protections are essential to long-term affordability because the best antidote to rising costs is a good job with decent pay and benefits.

Statement date not recorded · Profile reviewed Sep 16, 2026

Rick Larsen — candidate-owned primary source 4 ↗

Original source ↗

Candidate profile →

Race groups · Page 1 of 3

How statements are selected

This section matches specific unemployment, jobs and workforce issues terms in retained, attributed source text from published Washington candidate profiles. A profile heading or biography alone does not qualify. The Florida geography is fixed; saved state preferences cannot change these results. A mention can concern a community or group rather than Florida’s statewide measure.

Matching is automatic and does not establish a candidate’s stance, the accuracy of a claim, or an effect on the measured result. Results are grouped by recorded race, then by candidate name. Within each candidate, the matching issue mentions appear first. Only candidates with matching retained statements are shown; this is not a complete race roster. Repeated identical text for the same candidate is shown once. Coverage follows the existing state profiles and is not a complete record of all candidates or everything they have said. Review dates are not statement dates.

Washington incumbents

What incumbents are proposing

Explore reviewed bills sponsored by current Washington legislators and Washington’s congressional delegation, plus retained proposals from Washington’s governor and agencies. Each record keeps its latest recorded status and official evidence.

Government bodyProposal statusFind a sponsor or proposalOrder incumbents

37 matching sponsorships or proposals · 26 Washington incumbents. These filters apply only to this section.

Rep. Amy Walen

Washington House of Representatives, District 48 · D–WA

1 proposal

View proposals from Rep. Amy Walen

Washington Legislature · HB 1095

Creating a wage replacement program for certain Washington workers excluded from unemployment insurance.

Jan 8, 2024 · Did not pass

Rep. Amy Walen · Sponsored

FactVote reviewed summary

Creating a wage replacement program for certain Washington workers excluded from unemployment insurance. AN ACT Relating to creating a wage replacement program for certain Washington workers excluded from unemployment insurance;

The official Washington Legislature record lists this final action on January 8, 2024: By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.. The measure did not pass before the 2023-24 biennium ended.

Why this record is included

Retained Washington evidence context: Median household income. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Creating a wage replacement program for certain Washington workers excluded from unemployment insurance. AN ACT Relating to creating a wage replacement program for certain Washington workers excluded from unemployment insurance;

Review official supporting evidence ↗

Official record ↗Rep. Amy Walen’s profile ↗

Rep. Ed Orcutt

Washington House of Representatives, District 20 · R–WA

1 proposal

View proposals from Rep. Ed Orcutt

Washington Legislature · HB 2716

Restoring the public utility tax credit for low-income assistance.

Feb 2, 2026 · First reading, referred to Finance.

Rep. Ed Orcutt · Sponsored

FactVote reviewed summary

Restoring the public utility tax credit for low-income assistance. AN ACT Relating to a public utility tax credit for low-income assistance;

The latest official Washington Legislature record shows this action on February 2, 2026: First reading, referred to Finance..

Why this record is included

Retained Washington evidence context: Median household income. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Restoring the public utility tax credit for low-income assistance. AN ACT Relating to a public utility tax credit for low-income assistance;

Review official supporting evidence ↗

Official record ↗Rep. Ed Orcutt’s profile ↗

Rep. Gerry Pollet

Washington House of Representatives, District 46 · D–WA

1 proposal

View proposals from Rep. Gerry Pollet

Washington Legislature · HB 2538

Increasing pay equity for part-time faculty.

Jan 16, 2026 · First reading, referred to Postsecondary Education & Workforce.

Rep. Gerry Pollet · Sponsored

FactVote reviewed summary

Increasing pay equity for part-time faculty. AN ACT Relating to pay equity for part-time faculty;

The latest official Washington Legislature record shows this action on January 16, 2026: First reading, referred to Postsecondary Education & Workforce..

Why this record is included

Retained Washington evidence context: Median household income. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Increasing pay equity for part-time faculty. AN ACT Relating to pay equity for part-time faculty;

Review official supporting evidence ↗

Official record ↗Rep. Gerry Pollet’s profile ↗

Rep. Julio Cortes

Washington House of Representatives, District 38 · D–WA

2 proposals

View proposals from Rep. Julio Cortes

Washington Legislature · HB 1773

Creating a wage replacement program for certain Washington workers excluded from unemployment insurance.

Jan 12, 2026 · Introduced

Rep. Julio Cortes · Sponsored

FactVote reviewed summary

The latest official Washington Legislature record shows this action on January 12, 2026: By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status..

Why this record is included

Retained Washington evidence context: Median household income. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Creating a wage replacement program for certain Washington workers excluded from unemployment insurance. AN ACT Relating to creating a wage replacement program for certain Washington workers excluded from unemployment insurance;

Review official supporting evidence ↗

Official record ↗Rep. Julio Cortes’s profile ↗

Washington Legislature · HB 1821

Expanding the definition of "interested party" for the purposes of prevailing wage laws.

Apr 21, 2025 · Enacted · Chapter 99

Rep. Julio Cortes · Sponsored

FactVote reviewed summary

Expanding the definition of "interested party" for the purposes of prevailing wage laws. AN ACT Relating to expanding the definition of "interested party" for the purposes of prevailing wage laws;

The official Washington Legislature record shows the measure was enacted by April 21, 2025 as Chapter 99.

Why this record is included

Retained Washington evidence context: Median household income. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Expanding the definition of "interested party" for the purposes of prevailing wage laws. AN ACT Relating to expanding the definition of "interested party" for the purposes of prevailing wage laws;

Review official supporting evidence ↗

Official record ↗Rep. Julio Cortes’s profile ↗

Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self

Washington House of Representatives, District 21 · D–WA

1 proposal

View proposals from Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self

Washington Legislature · HB 2084

Modifying prototypical school funding allocations.

Jan 13, 2020 · Did not pass

Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self · Sponsored

FactVote reviewed summary

Modifying prototypical school funding allocations. AN ACT Relating to supporting the costs of paid sick leave in public schools;

The official Washington Legislature record lists this final action on January 13, 2020: By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.. The measure did not pass before the 2019-20 biennium ended.

Why this record is included

Retained Washington evidence context: Median household income. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Modifying prototypical school funding allocations. AN ACT Relating to supporting the costs of paid sick leave in public schools;

Review official supporting evidence ↗

Official record ↗Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self’s profile ↗

Rep. Lisa Parshley

Washington House of Representatives, District 22 · D–WA

1 proposal

View proposals from Rep. Lisa Parshley

Washington Legislature · HB 1619

Concerning paid family leave premium collection for dockworkers.

Jan 12, 2026 · Introduced

Rep. Lisa Parshley · Sponsored

FactVote reviewed summary

Concerning paid family leave premium collection for dockworkers. AN ACT Relating to paid family leave premium collection for dockworkers;

The latest official Washington Legislature record shows this action on January 12, 2026: By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status..

Why this record is included

Retained Washington evidence context: Median household income. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Concerning paid family leave premium collection for dockworkers. AN ACT Relating to paid family leave premium collection for dockworkers;

Review official supporting evidence ↗

Official record ↗Rep. Lisa Parshley’s profile ↗

What sponsorship and proposal counts tell us

Only current Washington officeholders retained in the reviewed collection qualify. Bills require a recorded primary sponsorship; cosponsors and signing officials are excluded from sponsorship counts. An official introducer recorded as acting by request is labeled “Introduced by request”; that procedural role does not establish personal policy endorsement. Governor and agency records qualify when recorded as proposed. A separately verified governor transmittal can also establish an original proposal whose latest status reflects its later outcome. Signing an enacted law alone does not establish a proposal. A record appearing under several facts is counted once per officeholder. A bill with multiple primary sponsors appears under each recorded sponsor.

Enacted bills, adopted resolutions and unsuccessful measures remain visible as proposal history. Passing one chamber is not enactment. These counts do not measure effectiveness or prove that an action changed a Washington statistic. Collection reviewed Sep 4, 2026.

Sources & methods

Every section retains its primary sources, units, reporting periods and comparison limits. Maps, graphs and tables use the same observation and cohort. All 50 states are listed; D.C. and territories are excluded. Missing and suppressed values remain unavailable and never become zero.

#1 is the highest measured value. Equal source values share a rank and leave gaps (1, 2, 2, 4). Ranks use source precision and are descriptive, not a score of the state. Survey uncertainty and reporting coverage can limit comparisons. Published U.S. benchmarks are used where available; a state average is not substituted.

Washington snapshots and fiscal sources keep their own dates and accounting scope. National events and federal distribution explainers describe national context. Actions and statements are filtered to Washington, retain their reviewed evidence, and do not establish that a policy caused a measured change.

Retained state source collections assembled October 5, 2026. Original review and source dates remain visible. Refreshing this page does not refresh an official data release.

← All Washington individual facts

Annual unemployment rate i

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U-1 · unemployed 15 weeks or longer i

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Annual real GDP growth i

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Openings · number i

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Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act

FactVote summary

Requiring certain wages in public works contracts to be at least the prevailing wage in effect when the work is performed.

FactVote reviewed summary

Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act

FactVote summary

Restoring the public utility tax credit for low-income assistance.

FactVote reviewed summary

Increasing pay equity for part-time faculty.

FactVote reviewed summary

Concerning paid family leave premium collection for dockworkers.

FactVote reviewed summary

What candidates are saying

2026 Washington U.S. House — District 1 — General Election

Mary Silva

Suzan DelBene

2026 Washington U.S. House — District 10 — General Election

Marilyn Strickland

2026 Washington U.S. House — District 2 — General Election

Rick Larsen

Rep. Amy Walen

Creating a wage replacement program for certain Washington workers excluded from unemployment insurance.

FactVote reviewed summary

Rep. Ed Orcutt

Restoring the public utility tax credit for low-income assistance.

FactVote reviewed summary

Rep. Gerry Pollet

Increasing pay equity for part-time faculty.

FactVote reviewed summary

Rep. Julio Cortes

Creating a wage replacement program for certain Washington workers excluded from unemployment insurance.

FactVote reviewed summary

Expanding the definition of "interested party" for the purposes of prevailing wage laws.

FactVote reviewed summary

Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self

Modifying prototypical school funding allocations.

FactVote reviewed summary

Rep. Lisa Parshley

Concerning paid family leave premium collection for dockworkers.

FactVote reviewed summary

Sources & methods

Annual unemployment rate

U-1 · unemployed 15 weeks or longer

Annual real GDP growth

Openings · number