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Chief Labor Economist, Anneliese Vance-Sherman, sat down for an interview with host Austin Jenkins of TVW’s Inside Olympia to discuss the health of Washington’s economy and labor market trends. 

Like the transition to the fall season, the freshly updated Occupations in Demand list has made its annual premiere. The Occupations in Demand list shows whether an occupation in a local area is considered in demand (abundance of opportunities), not in demand (few opportunities) or balanced. It also gives information about employment growth in particular occupations, its wages, typical education needed, and how to access job postings, training programs and other resources.

Using monthly economic data from January to March 2025, the Employment Security Department is providing a quarterly look at the Washington labor market. This quarterly report includes current labor market conditions, unemployment insurance claims, nonfarm employment information, and a spotlight on industries with high proportions of immigrant labor.

Using monthly economic data from October to December 2024, the Employment Security Department is providing a quarterly look at the Washington labor market. This quarterly report includes current labor market conditions, unemployment insurance claims, nonfarm employment information, and a spotlight on industries with high proportions of immigrant labor.

Washington’s economy added an estimated 16,000 jobs (seasonally adjusted), and the monthly unemployment rate bumped up to 4.9% from April to May 2024

Washington’s average annual wage grew by 5.9% in 2023 to $89,138, according to the state Employment Security Department

Washington’s economy added an estimated 5,200 jobs (seasonally adjusted) and the monthly unemployment rate remained at 4.8% from March to April 2024

Washington’s economy added an estimated 5,300 jobs (seasonally adjusted) and the monthly unemployment rate rose from 4.7% in February to 4.8% in March