Indicators Idaho

The self-employment rate is the percent of all employed people who have their own businesses (“proprietors”) as opposed to working for someone else in return for wages or salary.

In 2021, the self-employment rate in Washington. . .

was 21.3 percent, compared to 20.5 percent in 2010, 17.4 percent in 2000, 17.3 percent in 1990, and 15.1 percent in 1980;
was 21.3 percent, compared to 24.5 in the U.S.;

ranked 47^th – from highest to lowest – out of the U.S.'s 50 states.

To get the most out of this indicator . . .

Ask questions:

· Is the local self-employment rate higher or lower than average state and national rates?

· Has the local self-employment rate remained constant over time, or has it changed over the years?

Look at other indicators:

· “Employment: Unemployment rate” – Are self-employment rates increasing as unemployment rates increase (e.g. are people starting their own businesses when other jobs are not available)?

Dig deeper:

· Look at the county rankings for your state and/or view maps to see how your county compares to others.

· Use the Local Area Personal Income website from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis to see the number of self-employment jobs, a.k.a. “Proprietors employment,” from year to year. See Table CA25: https://apps.bea.gov/itable/?ReqID=70&step=1.

· Take a Big Picture view of your county.

· If you have specific questions, send us an e-mail.

Source: 1969-2021: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Economic Data, Local Area Personal Income, Table CA25, (https://apps.bea.gov/itable/?ReqID=70&step=1); DATE LAST UPDATED: March 30, 2023.