Washington County employment grew 4% over the past year, adding more than 3,600 jobs by August. This growth occurred as neighboring Iron and Kane counties posted smaller gains, according to the Utah Department of Workforce Services.
Washington County recorded an estimated 93,566 jobs in August, an increase from 89,927 a year earlier. During that same period, Iron County employment increased 1% from 26,256 to 26,520, while Kane County saw a 1.5% rise from 4,525 to 4,591.
In the St. George Metropolitan Statistical Area, private sector employment grew 3.1% to reach 81,000 jobs in August. Overall nonagricultural employment in the area reached 92,400, representing a 2.9% increase from 89,800 a year prior. Professional and business services saw the largest percentage increase among the area's major industries, growing 16.7% from 7,800 to 9,100 jobs.
Other regional industry shifts included leisure and hospitality adding approximately 800 jobs to reach 14,600, a 5.8% increase. Education and health services grew 1.3% to 15,900 jobs, while wholesale trade increased 5% to 2,100 jobs. Transportation, warehousing, and utilities increased by 2% to 5,100 jobs.
Conversely, some sectors experienced declines. Information employment fell 9.1% from 1,100 to 1,000 jobs, retail trade declined 0.8% to 11,800, and federal government employment dropped 12.5% from approximately 800 to 700 jobs. Manufacturing, financial activities, and other services remained unchanged from the previous year.
Ben Crabb, chief economist with the Department of Workforce Services, stated in a press release that Utah's economy continues to demonstrate fundamental stability as the prime-age workforce expands. However, Crabb noted that the broader hiring landscape has cooled at the edges, creating a more competitive environment for part-time shifts and those entering the workforce.
Crabb attributed much of the year-over-year decrease in federal government employment to federal job cuts that took effect in late 2025. He noted that while Utah added jobs overall, the state labor market has become more difficult for some, noting that long-term unemployment lasting 27 weeks or more increased by more than 30% over the year.
Utah's overall employment base grew 1.2% over the year, adding an estimated 20,600 jobs to reach nearly 1.79 million. The statewide unemployment rate was 3.5%, while the national unemployment rate stood at 4.1%.
