Overall unemployment rate moved up to 3.5% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 6,200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in February 2022.
Total employment in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA market rose by 31,975 jobs in December and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 20 bps to 3.5%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 20 bps over the same time to 3.7%.
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, 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 2.5% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.5% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 416,100; +6,200
- Business Services: 319,100; +300
- Education & Healthcare: 284,200; +100
- Government: 265,800; +300
- Restaurants & Hotels: 180,800; +1,700
- Manufacturing: 160,700; -600
- IT & Development: 147,500; +2,700
- Construction, Mining: 134,600; -2,300
- Financial Services: 104,600; +500
- Other Jobs: 73,800; +500
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.