Overall unemployment rate moved down to 5.0% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which gained 5,700 roles, based on the most recently available information published in September 2021.
Total employment in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA market rose by 8,333 jobs in August and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 5.0%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 5.3%.
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA unemployment rate is 29 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 340 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in August versus prior month by 0.8% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.2% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 404,600; -300
- Business Services: 318,100; +5,700
- Education & Healthcare: 278,800; -1,900
- Government: 256,800; -3,500
- Restaurants & Hotels: 178,700; +4,500
- Manufacturing: 158,600; +800
- IT & Development: 142,500; +900
- Construction, Mining: 134,800; -3,300
- Financial Services: 104,600; +1,000
- Other Jobs: 74,400; no change
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through August 2021 (Data published September 2021 and reports created on September 29, 2021). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.