Overall unemployment rate moved up to 5.5% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 9,600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in July 2021.

Total employment in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA market declined by 2,679 jobs in June and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 5.5%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 6.1%.

  • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA unemployment rate is 59 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 560 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in June versus prior month by -4.0% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Unemployment June 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.3% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 403,700; +5,300
  • Business Services: 309,800; +6,100
  • Education & Healthcare: 281,400; +1,100
  • Government: 262,600; -1,600
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 165,500; +9,600
  • Manufacturing: 157,000; +1,100
  • IT & Development: 140,100; +2,100
  • Construction, Mining: 136,600; +1,500
  • Financial Services: 101,600; +500
  • Other Jobs: 72,600; +900
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Unemployment by Industry June 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through June 2021 (Data published July 2021 and reports created on July 28, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.