Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.5% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in February 2022.

Total employment in the Olympia-Tumwater, WA market rose by 290 jobs in December and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 3.5%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 20 bps over the same time to 3.7%.

  • Olympia-Tumwater, WA unemployment rate is 19 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 270 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in December versus prior month by 0.9% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Olympia-Tumwater, WA Unemployment December 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.2% . Key sectors include:

  • Government: 39,700; -400
  • Transportation & Utilities: 20,700; +600
  • Education & Healthcare: 19,500; -100
  • Business Services: 12,500; +200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 11,000; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 6,900; no change
  • Other Jobs: 4,800; no change
  • Financial Services: 4,000; -100
  • Manufacturing: 3,100; no change
  • IT & Development: 1,400; no change
Olympia-Tumwater, WA Unemployment by Industry December 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through December 2021 (Data published February 2022 and reports created on February 4, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.