Overall unemployment rate stayed flat with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 7,600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.

Total employment in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA market declined by 9,229 jobs in March and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate decreased by 38 bps over the same time to 6.2%.

  • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA unemployment rate is 28 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 40 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in March versus prior month by -4.6% 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 March 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.0% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 396,300; +400
  • Business Services: 303,800; +2,100
  • Education & Healthcare: 280,300; +2,000
  • Government: 260,000; +2,500
  • Manufacturing: 158,500; +600
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 142,100; +7,600
  • IT & Development: 137,900; +1,100
  • Construction, Mining: 136,200; +2,600
  • Financial Services: 98,800; -400
  • Other Jobs: 69,800; +600
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Unemployment by Industry March 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2021 (Data published April 2021 and reports created on April 29, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.