Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.2% with the biggest shift in Business Services, which gained 3,000 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2022.
Total employment in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA market declined by 6,044 jobs in March and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 3.2%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 39 bps over the same time to 3.8%.
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA unemployment rate is 55 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
- Unemployment in the market is 240 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
- Average wages (per hour) grew in March versus prior month by 6.5% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.6% . Key sectors include:
- Transportation & Utilities: 406,800; no change
- Business Services: 322,000; +3,000
- Education & Healthcare: 281,900; +2,000
- Government: 266,300; -400
- Restaurants & Hotels: 176,000; +2,500
- Manufacturing: 159,000; +800
- IT & Development: 146,900; +2,100
- Construction, Mining: 132,600; +3,000
- Financial Services: 105,800; +1,000
- Other Jobs: 67,900; -700
Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2022 (Data published April 2022 and reports created on April 27, 2022). Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.
Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.