County’s job market sees slow, steady growth

Construction and professional development jobs are on the rise countywide, according to the latest state employment data.

About 3,700 more people were working in Clark County this February compared with the same month last year, a 2 percent increase in the county’s overall employment rate.

Clark County’s employment, however, was down in February compared with the previous month, according to the data released by the Washington State Employment Security Department last week.

“Clark County’s job market has seen slow but steady growth over the last year,” said Emily Robertson, regional labor economist for the state employment department.

Robertson said some industries proved to be more robust than others in the past year, but the overall picture is positive.

The department’s data, not seasonally adjusted, also showed the county lost 100 nonfarm jobs in February compared with January.

Construction saw notable gains in the past year, adding 700 jobs between February 2024 and February 2025, a 4.1 percent increase.

Although residential construction is down in Vancouver compared with just a few years ago, development in the county’s small towns is driving job growth in the industry, said Kevin Tapani, vice president of business development, at the Battle Ground construction company Tapani Inc.

He also said construction on utility projects and private investment in commercial and home building were contributing.

There could also be a bump coming from road construction. The city of Vancouver has done more road work in the past year than the previous one, as evidenced by major projects like the construction on Main Street in downtown Vancouver and on Southeast First Street in east Vancouver.

The city is spending more than twice on street projects in 2025 than it did in 2023.

Professional services — a category that includes temp agencies, law firms and accounting firms — also added 700 jobs in February compared with the previous year. The industry has been growing steadily in the county as more people and businesses move here.

Health care and social assistance also added 800 jobs over the past year, while food and beverage retailers lost 200. About 188,300 people were working in Clark County in February of this year, up from 184,600 in February 2024.

Sarah Wolf: 360-735-4513; [email protected]