Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.6% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 4,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2022.
Total employment in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA market rose by 15,417 jobs in April and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 60 bps to 2.6%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 42 bps over the same time to 3.3%.
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA unemployment rate is 74 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 230 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in April versus prior month by 4.9% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.8% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 409,700; +2,900
- Business Services: 324,900; +2,100
- Education & Healthcare: 283,000; +2,400
- Government: 269,500; +2,700
- Restaurants & Hotels: 180,800; +4,300
- Manufacturing: 159,200; +200
- IT & Development: 147,100; -300
- Construction, Mining: 135,000; +1,800
- Financial Services: 105,700; +200
- Other Jobs: 69,200; +900
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through April 2022 (Data published June 2022 and reports created on June 1, 2022). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.