Key insights from public labor market data
A monthly snapshot of employment, wages, cost of living, and hiring trends in Seattle-King County.
Updated July 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
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate
(As of May 2026) · ESD monthly, Lightcast quarterly
King County Unemployment Falls to 4.7% as Hiring Rebounds and the Labor Force Grows
King County's unemployment rate fell to 4.7% in May 2026, down from 4.9% in April—and this time the improvement rests on firmer ground. In recent months, a flat or rising rate had masked a shrinking workforce; May's decline came with broad-based gains instead. Employment rose by roughly 6,500, to 1,297,914, while the labor force expanded by about 3,800, to 1,362,333. Because hiring outpaced the inflow of new jobseekers, the number of unemployed residents fell by roughly 2,700, to 64,419. In short, the rate dropped because more people are working, more people are participating, and fewer are looking for work without finding it.
Regional Overview · King County
Unemployment Trend
Unemployment Rate
(King County, ESD)
Chart reflects data through May 2026.
King County Unemployment Eases to 4.7%—and This Time the Improvement Looks Real
After spiking to 5.7% in January 2026—the highest reading since 2021—King County's unemployment rate has steadily retraced that jump, easing to 4.7% in May, its lowest mark of the year. The descent hasn't been a straight line, but what makes May encouraging is the combination of a few underlying factors: employment rose, the labor force grew, and the number of unemployed residents fell, all in the same month. A rate that declines because more people are working—rather than because discouraged jobseekers are dropping out—is the kind of improvement that tends to hold.
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. Note: Gaps in the chart reflect disruptions in data reporting.
Seattle Area Inflation Accelerates to 4.9% as Headline and Core Prices Diverge
Headline inflation for the Seattle area jumped to 4.9% as of April 2026, up sharply from 3.9% in February and roughly 3.1% at the start of the year—the fastest pace since 2023. But the increase is concentrated in volatile categories: prices excluding food and energy ("core" inflation) rose just 3.0%, down from 3.4% earlier in the year. That widening gap between the 4.9% headline and 3.0% core figures signals that food and energy costs are driving the recent surge, rather than broad-based price pressure across the economy. For households, the practical effect is real—everyday essentials like groceries and fuel are where the squeeze is being felt most acutely this spring.
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
(April – May, 2026)
Unique Employers
Competing for talent
Median Advertised Salary
per year
Source: Lightcast
Who's Hiring?
Amazon
Region's most active employer
unique postings
Which Roles Are Employers Hiring For?
Top-posted roles are in frontline or service occupations
(e.g., Baristas, Medical Assistants, CDL Drivers, Warehouse Associates)
What Skills Are Employers Looking For?
Artificial Intelligence
Fastest-growing skill in job postings
How Much Do These Jobs Pay?
Hiring Demand Holds Steady as More Employers Compete and the Mix Shifts
Employers posted 68,932 job openings between April and May 2026, holding roughly even with the prior period's 69,562—a sign that hiring demand has plateaued rather than retreated. The number of unique employers competing for talent rose to 9,995, up from 9,421, so demand is spread across a wider pool of companies—though postings stay concentrated among large employers, with Amazon alone accounting for nearly 1,900 openings. The mix still skews toward frontline and service work: 12 of the 20 most-posted roles fall into those categories, from medical assistants and baristas to CDL drivers. At the same time, the fastest-growing skill requirement is artificial intelligence—up 204% year-over-year—a reminder that even a flat market is reshaping what employers ask for. Median advertised salary held steady at $88,320 per year, still just below the $90K mark: a labor market holding its pattern on volume, but quietly shifting in composition.
Explore pathways and job quality
Use these tools to connect earnings data to training options—and compare job quality signals by company and occupation.
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Layoff Trends
Total WARN Layoffs in 2026
Workers affected by WARN layoffs in 2026 (YTD)
Jan–June 2026
2026 Layoffs Reach 7,453 by June, Driven Overwhelmingly by the Information Sector
Through June 8, 2026, WARN notices have affected 7,453 King County workers—a pace that, at roughly the halfway point of the year, runs close to 2025's full-year total of 14,850 and well above 2024's 8,640. The Information sector continues to dominate, accounting for 5,481 of those workers—nearly three-quarters of all 2026 layoffs so far and already approaching its full-year totals from 2023 and 2025. Beyond tech, Accommodation and Food Services (604) and Manufacturing (287) are the next-largest sources this year. The concentration in Information underscores that the region's layoff activity remains a largely tech-driven story, even as overall volume stays elevated—though WARN figures are reported on a delay and may rise as additional notices are filed.
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.
Opens external sites in a new tab.
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.