Key insights from public labor market data
A monthly snapshot of employment, wages, cost of living, and hiring trends in Seattle-King County.
Updated February 2026
About the Workforce Index
The Workforce Index is a monthly snapshot of labor market conditions in Seattle-King County, created to help the workforce development ecosystem make sense of current trends and career pathways. It brings together public data on employment, hiring demand, wages, cost of living, and layoffs in one place.
What sets the Workforce Index apart is its connection to action. As the organization that administers the local workforce system, WDC pairs labor market analysis with program insights and access to data that can shape career pathways and improve job quality. Over time, the Index will expand to explore deeper questions about economic mobility, equity, and opportunity—and how data can support better outcomes for workers and employers alike.
Labor Force
(As of December 2025, WA ESD)
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate
ESD monthly, Lightcast quarterly
King County Labor Force Stable Amid Regional Shifts
Seattle–King County’s labor force remains strong at 1.37 million, with a 4.9% unemployment rate. Participation has held steady through 2025, but recent layoff announcements and a modest uptick in unemployment point to a more mixed outlook as the region heads into 2026. We’re tracking the official data closely in the months ahead as these signals show up in workforce measures.
Regional Overview · King County
Unemployment Trend
Unemployment Rate
(King County, ESD)
Regional Unemployment Continues Near 5%
Unemployment across the Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue metro has remained below 5% since 2021, reflecting a relatively steady recovery period. The increase to 4.9% is a modest shift from earlier lows and suggests the labor market may be cooling. While the rate is still broadly consistent with pre-pandemic norms, we’ll be watching upcoming data closely as recent layoff activity and economic uncertainty show up more clearly in official indicators.
Need reemployment support or benefits?
If you’ve recently lost work—or expect a disruption—these resources can help you take the next step. WorkSource offers personalized 1:1 support, and ESD can help you understand unemployment benefits eligibility and how to apply.
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Cost of Living
12-Month CPI Change
(Seattle Area, BLS)
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a monthly measurement that tracks the average change in prices paid by consumers for goods and services. It acts as a primary indicator of inflation by showing how much more (or less) a typical basket of household items costs compared to the previous year.
Inflation Down from Historic Highs, Showing Modest Uptick in 2025
After peaking near 9% in 2022, inflation in the Seattle area has continued to cool overall. The Consumer Price Index rose 3.1% over the past year (2.7% excluding food and energy). While price growth remains well below pandemic-era highs, the past year has shown a modest uptick—keeping cost pressures elevated for many households.
What does it actually cost to live here?
Inflation trends are useful context, but household budgets depend on family size, location, and expenses.
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Jobs & Wages
Job Openings
(December 2025 – January, 2026)
Unique Employers
Competing for talent
Median Advertised Salary
per year
Source: Lightcast
Employer Demand Remains Broad, Median Wages Holding Above $90K
Employers posted 60,046 job openings between December and January—up from 54,316 in the prior period. The number of unique employers posting also increased slightly, rising to 8,256 (from 8,193).
Employer Hiring Volume
Amazon
Most unique job postings
Hiring Demand Concentrated Among Large Employers Across Key Sectors
Employer hiring activity remains concentrated among large regional organizations, with demand spanning tech, healthcare, public sector, and major service employers. The mix of high-volume postings and steady participation from many employers suggests continued hiring across both professional and frontline roles.
Jobs in Demand
Software Engineers
(+21.01% change in last 30 days)
Strong Demand Across Tech, Healthcare, and Operations Roles
Software engineers, nurses, physical therapists, and maintenance technicians rank among the most frequently posted roles, reflecting steady demand across technical, clinical, and hands-on operational occupations.
Skill Trends
Artificial Intelligence
Top rising skill in postings (+1,009 year over year)
Employers Are Updating Skill Expectations in a Changing Labor Market
Rising demand for AI-related capabilities, healthcare credentials, and core workplace skills reflects how employers are responding to economic uncertainty, technological change, and ongoing workforce constraints.
Occupation Earnings
Explore pathways and job quality
Use these tools to connect earnings data to training options—and compare job quality signals by company and occupation.
External resources—WDC does not manage these sites.
Layoff Trends
Total WARN Layoffs
Cumulative layoffs in 2025
Layoff Activity Elevated in 2025, with Uneven Impacts Across Industries
King County has seen higher WARN-reported layoff activity in 2025, with total affected workers nearly doubling compared to the same period in 2024. Information, Accommodation and Food Services, and Retail Trade show the largest increases, underscoring uneven pressure across the regional economy. As additional layoffs are announced and implemented, we’ll continue tracking how these shifts appear in the official data over the months ahead.
Need reemployment support or benefits?
If you’ve recently lost work—or expect a disruption—these resources can help you take the next step. WorkSource offers personalized 1:1 support, and ESD can help you understand unemployment benefits eligibility and how to apply.
Your Input Matters
We’re building the Workforce Index with our community in mind. If you have ideas for what would make this monthly update more useful, we’d love to hear from you.