Key insights from public labor market data
A monthly snapshot of employment, wages, cost of living, and hiring trends in Seattle-King County.
Updated January 2026
About the Workforce Index
The Workforce Index is a monthly snapshot of labor market conditions in Seattle-King County, created to help the workforce development ecosystem make sense of current trends and career pathways. It brings together public data on employment, hiring demand, wages, cost of living, and layoffs in one place.
What sets the Workforce Index apart is its connection to action. As the organization that administers the local workforce system, WDC pairs labor market analysis with program insights and access to data that can shape career pathways and improve job quality. Over time, the Index will expand to explore deeper questions about economic mobility, equity, and opportunity—and how data can support better outcomes for workers and employers alike.
Labor Force
(As of September 2025, WA ESD)
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate
ESD monthly, Lightcast quarterly
King County Labor Force Stable Amid Regional Shifts
Seattle–King County’s labor force remains strong at 1.37 million, with steady employment and a 4.8% unemployment rate. While workforce participation has held steady through 2025, the modest uptick in unemployment points to a more mixed outlook as the region heads into 2026.
Regional Overview · King County
Unemployment Trend
Unemployment Rate
(King County, ESD)
Regional Unemployment Continues Near 5%
Unemployment across the Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue metro has remained below 5% since 2021, reflecting a relatively stable recovery period. The recent increase to 4.8% marks a modest shift from earlier lows but remains consistent with pre-pandemic norms and a labor market that continues to support broad job availability across sectors.
Looking for benefits or reemployment support?
If you’ve recently lost work—or expect a disruption—this resource explains eligibility, next steps, and how to apply.
Opens an external site in a new tab.
Cost of Living
12-Month CPI Change
(Seattle Area, BLS)
Inflation Down from Historic Highs, Showing Modest Uptick in 2025
After peaking near 9% in 2022, inflation in the Seattle area has steadily cooled, with the Consumer Price Index rising 2.8% over the past year and 2.6% excluding food and energy. While overall price growth remains well below pandemic-era highs, 2025 has seen a slight uptick.
What does it actually cost to live here?
Inflation trends are useful context, but household budgets depend on family size, location, and expenses.
Opens an external site in a new tab.
Jobs & Wages
Job Openings
(October – December, 2025)
Unique Employers
Competing for talent
Median Advertised Salary
per year
Source: Lightcast
Employer Demand Remains Broad, Median Wages Holding Above $90K
Employers posted 54,316 job openings between October and December, a 22.4% decline from the prior period. While this slowdown may reflect easing demand, similar drops are typical during the holiday season as hiring activity pauses across many industries. Median advertised wages remained elevated at $91,400 per year, suggesting continued competition for skilled workers despite lower posting volume.
Employer Hiring Volume
Amazon
Most unique job postings
Top Companies Posting
| Company | Total Postings Nov 2025 – Dec 2025 |
Unique Postings Nov 2025 – Dec 2025 |
Median Posting Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | 20,168 | 2,026 | 15 days |
| Providence | 2,574 | 894 | 18 days |
| Microsoft | 1,464 | 568 | 15 days |
| University of Washington | 1,427 | 517 | 17 days |
| 1,624 | 427 | 20 days | |
| Soliant Health | 542 | 423 | 17 days |
| Meta | 898 | 422 | 14 days |
| Blue Origin | 966 | 413 | 22 days |
| Robert Half | 481 | 394 | 15 days |
| Starbucks | 666 | 371 | 20 days |
Source: Lightcast
Hiring Demand Concentrated Among Large Employers Across Key Sectors
Job postings from November–December show hiring demand concentrated among large regional employers, even as overall posting volume moderated during the holiday period. Amazon continues to generate the highest number of openings, with ongoing recruiting activity from major technology firms such as Google, Microsoft, and Meta, alongside healthcare providers including Providence and Soliant Health. Additional demand from higher education, aerospace, and service-oriented employers—such as the University of Washington, Blue Origin, and Starbucks—highlights the continued need for both specialized professional roles and operational hiring across the region.
Jobs in Demand
Software Engineers
(+0.19% change in last 30 days)
Strong Demand Across Tech, Healthcare, and Operations Roles
Software engineers, nurses, physical therapists, and maintenance technicians rank among the most frequently posted roles, reflecting steady demand across technical, clinical, and hands-on operational occupations.
Skill Trends
Artificial Intelligence
Top rising skill in postings (+415 month over month)
Employers Are Updating Skill Expectations in a Changing Labor Market
Rising demand for AI-related capabilities, healthcare credentials, and core workplace skills reflects how employers are responding to economic uncertainty, technological change, and ongoing workforce constraints.
Occupation Earnings
Explore pathways and job quality
Use these tools to connect earnings data to training options—and compare job quality signals by company and occupation.
External resources—WDC does not manage these sites.
Regional Layoff Trends
Total WARN Layoffs
Cumulative layoffs in 2025
Layoff Activity Higher in 2025 Across Key Industries
King County has seen a notable rise in WARN-reported layoffs in 2025, with total affected workers nearly doubling compared to the same period in 2024. Information, Manufacturing, and Accommodation and Food Services show the largest increases, with uneven patterns highlighting the varying economic pressures facing different parts of the regional economy.
Affected by a layoff?
Workers impacted by layoffs may be eligible for unemployment benefits and other reemployment resources.
Opens an external site in a new tab.
Your Input Matters
We’re building the Workforce Index with our community in mind. If you have ideas for what would make this monthly update more useful, we’d love to hear from you.