Key insights from public labor market data
A monthly snapshot of employment, wages, cost of living, and hiring trends in Seattle-King County.
Updated May 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 March 2026) · ESD monthly, Lightcast quarterly
King County Unemployment Rate Drops to 4.8% in March as Labor Force Contracts
King County's unemployment rate fell to 4.8% in March 2026—down sharply from 5.7% in January—as the number of unemployed residents declined by nearly 13,000 over two months. However, the drop was driven in part by a shrinking labor force, which fell by roughly 13,000 between February and March, indicating some workers stepped away from active job-seeking. The March figure brings the rate back below 5% for the first time since late 2025, but fewer unemployed residents alongside a smaller labor force paints a more complex picture than the headline number alone suggests.
Regional Overview · King County
Unemployment Trend
Unemployment Rate
(King County, ESD)
Chart reflects data through March 2026.
King County Unemployment Rate Pulls Back to 4.8% After January Peak
King County's unemployment rate fell to 4.8% in March 2026 after spiking to 5.7% in January—the highest point since 2021. The two-month decline brings the rate back below 5%, though it remains above the 3.6% low reached in mid-2025. Notably, the improvement coincided with a contraction in the labor force—which shrank by roughly 13,000 between February and March—meaning some of the rate decline reflects workers stepping away from active job-seeking rather than job gains alone. The broader pattern over the past year—a steep climb followed by a sharp pullback driven by mixed signals—leaves it unclear whether the region is settling into a higher baseline or returning to tighter conditions.
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 Ticks Up, Remaining Below Recent Highs
The Consumer Price Index for the Seattle area rose to 3.9% as of February 2026, reflecting a continued uptick from the lows seen in mid-2024. Excluding food and energy, prices rose 3.4% — suggesting broad-based price pressure rather than volatility in any single category. While inflation remains well below the peaks seen in 2022, the recent upward trend means cost pressures are still a reality for many Seattle-area 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
(March – April, 2026)
Unique Employers
Competing for talent
Median Advertised Salary
per year
Source: Lightcast
Job Openings Continue to Climb as Advertised Wages Dip
Employers posted 69,562 job openings between March and April 2026—up from 65,970 in the prior period—with 9,421 unique employers competing for talent, also an increase. However, median advertised salary slipped to $88,320 per year, falling back below the $90K threshold it had just crossed. The growth in openings and employer participation suggests continued demand, while the wage dip may reflect a shift in the mix of roles being posted.
Who's Hiring?
Providence
Biggest mover this month
Healthcare Hiring Surges as Tech and Aerospace Postings Pull Back
Healthcare employers are among the fastest-growing sources of job postings in King County this month, with Providence (+60.7%), Soliant Health (+47.1%), Swedish Health Services (+32.5%), and Seattle Children's Hospital (+30.8%) all seeing significant increases. Meanwhile, several of the region's largest tech and aerospace employers posted fewer openings—Microsoft (−46.5%), Boeing (−31.8%), Google (−23.7%), and Blue Origin (−21.4%). The shift highlights a changing mix in regional hiring demand, even as overall posting volume remains concentrated among large employers.
Which Roles Are Employers Hiring For?
Top-posted roles are in frontline or service occupations
(e.g., Baristas, Medical Assistants, CDL Drivers, Warehouse Associates)
Software Roles Still Dominate Postings, but the Picture Is Mixed
Software-related titles continue to lead King County's most-posted roles by volume, though the trend lines are diverging—Software Development Engineers rose 9.8% while Software Engineers fell 22.1%. Beyond tech, growth is showing up in healthcare (Medical Assistants +22.0%, Physical Therapists +6.9%), administrative and support roles (Executive Assistants +33.3%, Customer Service Reps +18.2%), and data-focused positions (Data Engineers +50.9%). At the same time, some traditionally high-demand roles are pulling back, with Registered Nurses (−41.0%), Baristas (−23.5%), and CDL Truck Drivers (−25.8%) all posting notable declines.
What Skills Are Employers Looking For?
Communication
Most in-demand skill across all postings
Core Workplace Skills Remain in High Demand Despite AI Upsurge
Even as artificial intelligence has emerged as the fastest-growing skill in employer postings, the most in-demand skills in King County's labor market remain decidedly foundational. Communication appears in more job postings than any other skill—by a significant margin—followed by Customer Service, Management, and Operations. These competencies show up across industries, role levels, and salary ranges, reflecting the baseline expectations employers bring to nearly every hire. Skills like Problem Solving, Planning, Coordinating, and Writing round out the top of the list, reinforcing that the skills most broadly valued in the labor market are still the ones that enable people to work effectively in almost any setting.
How Much Do These Jobs Pay?
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–April 2026
WARN Layoff Activity Climbed in 2025, with 2026 Tracking Above Recent Years
Layoff notices affecting King County workers rose sharply in 2025, with 14,850 workers affected—a 72% increase over 2024 and well above the 10,561 reported in 2023. The Information sector remained the largest source of layoff activity across all years, with Accommodation and Food Services and Retail Trade also seeing notable increases in 2025. The year-over-year trend shows 2025 layoffs accelerating sharply beginning in mid-year. Through April 2026, 4,798 workers have already been affected—a pace that is currently outpacing both 2024 and 2025 at the same point in the year, though WARN data is typically reported on a delay.
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.