Posted March 2025
Summary
The King County economy quickly began to bounce back from the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. It fully recovered the jobs it lost by June 2022. Most recently, total nonfarm employment growth has slowed as policy makers shifted to contain inflation.
Seattle is the county seat and the state’s largest city in terms of population. Its mix of older industrial companies and internet and technology companies have helped King County become the leading county employer in the state. Much of the tech employment is contained within the information industry. Over the past couple of years employment in this sector has moved from a boom period during the pandemic toward a bust period. In 2024, the information industry shed more jobs in the county than any other industry.
The Boeing Company maintains major production facilities in the Seatle area and in other parts of King County. In fall 2024, roughly 33,000 Boeing employees went on a seven-week strike through their machinist union. The strike showed up in the October numbers as a major loss. The November report reflects workers returning to their jobs.
Location
King County is located on Puget Sound in western Washington state. It is bordered on the north by Snohomish County, the northeast by Chelan County, the southeast by Kittitas County, the south by Pierce County and across the Puget Sound on the west by Kitsap County.
King County is one of three Washington counties that make up the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan statistical area along with Pierce and Snohomish Counties. It is the most populous county in the state.
Employment situation for January 2025
Labor force and unemployment
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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.0% in January 2025, up from 3.4% in December 2024 and down from 4.4% 12 months ago. The labor force expanded from January 2024 to January 2025, adding 32,763 participants (up 2.4%).
Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Local area unemployment statistics
Payroll employment
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Total nonfarm employment decreased by 33,500 from December 2024 to January 2025.
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Overall, employment growth has continued over the year but has been slowing.
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Over the month, employment increased in one major industry sector and decreased in twelve. The only increase was in other services. The deepest loss was in information.
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From January 2024 to January 2025, total nonfarm employment expanded by 7,900 or 0.5%.
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Over the year, employment in five major industries expanded and eight contracted.
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Employment in education and health services increased the most while employment in information declined the most.
Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, King County
| NAICS Industry Title | Jan-25 | Dec 2024 (Revised) | Jan 2024 (Revised) | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 change | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 change | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAICS Industry Title Total Nonfarm | Jan-25 1,473,800 | Dec 2024 (Revised) 1,507,300 | Jan 2024 (Revised) 1,465,900 | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 change -33,500 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 change 7,900 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 % change 0.5% |
| NAICS Industry Title --Total Private | Jan-25 1,283,400 | Dec 2024 (Revised) 1,315,200 | Jan 2024 (Revised) 1,285,200 | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 change -31,800 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 change -1,800 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 % change -0.1% |
| NAICS Industry Title ---Goods Producing | Jan-25 161,800 | Dec 2024 (Revised) 165,400 | Jan 2024 (Revised) 166,000 | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 change -3,600 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 change -4,200 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 % change -2.5% |
| NAICS Industry Title -----Mining and Logging | Jan-25 400 | Dec 2024 (Revised) 500 | Jan 2024 (Revised) 500 | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 change -100 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 change -100 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 % change -20.0% |
| NAICS Industry Title -----Construction | Jan-25 70,700 | Dec 2024 (Revised) 72,000 | Jan 2024 (Revised) 71,600 | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 change -1,300 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 change -900 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 % change -1.3% |
| NAICS Industry Title -----Manufacturing | Jan-25 90,700 | Dec 2024 (Revised) 92,900 | Jan 2024 (Revised) 93,900 | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 change -2,200 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 change -3,200 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 % change -3.4% |
| NAICS Industry Title ---Service Providing | Jan-25 1,312,000 | Dec 2024 (Revised) 1,341,900 | Jan 2024 (Revised) 1,299,900 | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 change -29,900 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 change 12,100 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 % change 0.9% |
| NAICS Industry Title -------Wholesale Trade | Jan-25 59,500 | Dec 2024 (Revised) 60,500 | Jan 2024 (Revised) 60,800 | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 change -1,000 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 change -1,300 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 % change -2.1% |
| NAICS Industry Title -------Retail Trade | Jan-25 104,500 | Dec 2024 (Revised) 107,500 | Jan 2024 (Revised) 60,800 | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 change -3,000 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 change -700 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 % change -1.2% |
| NAICS Industry Title -------Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities | Jan-25 64,100 | Dec 2024 (Revised) 67,800 | Jan 2024 (Revised) 62,300 | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 change -3,700 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 change 1,800 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 % change 2.9% |
| NAICS Industry Title -----Information | Jan-25 124,800 | Dec 2024 (Revised) 132,700 | Jan 2024 (Revised) 128,700 | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 change -7,900 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 change -3,900 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 % change -3.0% |
| NAICS Industry Title -----Financial Activities | Jan-25 76,000 | Dec 2024 (Revised) 77,700 | Jan 2024 (Revised) 73,000 | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 change -1,700 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 change 3,000 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 % change 4.1% |
| NAICS Industry Title -----Professional and Business Services | Jan-25 309,000 | Dec 2024 (Revised) 312,700 | Jan 2024 (Revised) 311,100 | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 change -3,700 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 change -2,100 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 % change -0.7% |
| NAICS Industry Title -----Educational and Health Services | Jan-25 207,700 | Dec 2024 (Revised) 208,400 | Jan 2024 (Revised) 196,600 | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 change -700 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 change 11,100 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 % change 5.6% |
| NAICS Industry Title -----Leisure and Hospitality | Jan-25 130,900 | Dec 2024 (Revised) 134,900 | Jan 2024 (Revised) 131,000 | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 change -4,000 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 change -100 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 % change -0.1% |
| NAICS Industry Title -----Other Services | Jan-25 51,500 | Dec 2024 (Revised) 51,300 | Jan 2024 (Revised) 48,300 | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 change 200 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 change 3,200 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 % change 6.6% |
| NAICS Industry Title -----Government | Jan-25 190,400 | Dec 2024 (Revised) 192,100 | Jan 2024 (Revised) 180,700 | Dec 2024 to Jan 2025 change -1,700 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 change 9,700 | Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 % change 5.4% |
Note: Data benchmarked through September 2024, updated March 17, 2025.
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Industry employment (covered employment)
King County leads all other counties in total employment. Private sector employment accounts for about 90% of the total. The county’s largest city, Seattle, is effectively the heart of the economy. Health care is the leading private sector employer in King County as Seattle is the headquarters for many global health organizations.
Beginning in the 1980s, the Seattle area developed into a technology center. The stream of new software, biotechnology and internet companies helped move the professional, scientific and technical services sector into the second largest industry employer, and information into the third largest.
King County’s large population has encouraged employment growth in retail trade and accommodation and food services. Truck and aerospace manufacturing have also bolstered employment in the manufacturing sector.
Employment by industry, King County 2023 annual average
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research (LMIR) Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)
Average annual covered employment in King County was 1,456,439. Covered employment refers to workers who received wages in Washington state and are eligible for state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) compensation programs.
Top five sectors in terms of employment in 2023:
- Government (173,135)
- Health care and social assistance (160,135)
- Professional, scientific, and technical services (154,638)
- Information (134,548)
- Accommodation and food services (107,610)
Wages can vary substantially from one industry sector to another. The average annual wage in Washington state for all industries was $87,054 in 2023. The average annual wage in King County was $120,463 in 2023.
The top five sectors in terms of wage in 2023:
- Information ($251,151)
- Management of companies and enterprises ($212,540)
- Professional, scientific, and technical services ($143,180)
- Utilities ($128,826)
- Finance and insurance ($126,493
Workforce demographics for King County
Age
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristic Population 16 years and over | Total 1,864,459 | Labor force participation rate 70.1% | Unemployment rate 4.6% |
| Demographic characteristic 16 to 19 years | Total 97,794 | Labor force participation rate 37.7% | Unemployment rate 15.0% |
| Demographic characteristic 20 to 24 years | Total 132,192 | Labor force participation rate 77.8% | Unemployment rate 8.2% |
| Demographic characteristic 25 to 29 years | Total 196,893 | Labor force participation rate 88.4% | Unemployment rate 4.5% |
| Demographic characteristic 30 to 34 years | Total 215,322 | Labor force participation rate 87.7% | Unemployment rate 4.3% |
| Demographic characteristic 35 to 44 years | Total 358,298 | Labor force participation rate 86.1% | Unemployment rate 3.9% |
| Demographic characteristic 45 to 54 years | Total 293,485 | Labor force participation rate 85.1% | Unemployment rate 3.5% |
| Demographic characteristic 55 to 59 years | Total 132,462 | Labor force participation rate 77.4% | Unemployment rate 3.6% |
| Demographic characteristic 60 to 64 years | Total 126,645 | Labor force participation rate 63.0% | Unemployment rate 3.6% |
| Demographic characteristic 65 to 74 years | Total 187,744 | Labor force participation rate 29.8% | Unemployment rate 3.8% |
| Demographic characteristic 75 years and over | Total 123,624 | Labor force participation rate 6.6% | Unemployment rate 3.9% |
Race or Hispanic origin
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristic White alone | Total 1,102,165 | Labor force participation rate 68.3% | Unemployment rate 4.4% |
| Demographic characteristic Black or African American alone | Total 115,064 | Labor force participation rate 70.1% | Unemployment rate 7.8% |
| Demographic characteristic American Indian and Alaska Native alone | Total 11,177 | Labor force participation rate 66.8% | Unemployment rate 6.2% |
| Demographic characteristic Asian alone | Total 379,899 | Labor force participation rate 72.2% | Unemployment rate 3.1% |
| Demographic characteristic Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone | Total 13,091 | Labor force participation rate 72.8% | Unemployment rate 6.6% |
| Demographic characteristic Some other race alone | Total 81,636 | Labor force participation rate 76.5% | Unemployment rate 5.6% |
| Demographic characteristic Two or more races | Total 161,427 | Labor force participation rate 73.8% | Unemployment rate 6.2% |
| Demographic characteristic Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) | Total 176,272 | Labor force participation rate 76.4% | Unemployment rate 5.1% |
| Demographic characteristic White alone, not Hispanic or Latino | Total 1,063,192 | Labor force participation rate 68.0% | Unemployment rate 4.4% |
| Demographic characteristic Population 20 to 64 years | Total 1,455,297 | Labor force participation rate 82.9% | Unemployment rate 4.3% |
Sex
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristic Male | Total 752,680 | Labor force participation rate 88.0% | Unemployment rate 4.4% |
| Demographic characteristic Female | Total 702,617 | Labor force participation rate 77.4% | Unemployment rate 4.2% |
Females with children
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristic With own children under 18 | Total 227,645 | Labor force participation rate 73.2% | Unemployment rate 3.8% |
| Demographic characteristic With own children under 6 only | Total 56,962 | Labor force participation rate 72.0% | Unemployment rate 3.5% |
| Demographic characteristic With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 | Total 39,256 | Labor force participation rate 62.8% | Unemployment rate 4.2% |
| Demographic characteristic With own children 6 to 17 only | Total 131,427 | Labor force participation rate 76.8% | Unemployment rate 3.9% |
Poverty status in the past 12 months
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristic Below poverty level | Total 113,066 | Labor force participation rate 48.1% | Unemployment rate 24.2% |
| Demographic characteristic At or above the poverty level | Total 1,332,950 | Labor force participation rate 86.2% | Unemployment rate 3.3% |
Disability status
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristic With any disability | Total 113,886 | Labor force participation rate 57.7% | Unemployment rate 10.4% |
Educational attainment
| Demographic characteristic | Total | Labor force participation rate | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic characteristic Population 25 to 64 years | Total 1,323,105 | Labor force participation rate 83.4% | Unemployment rate 3.9% |
| Demographic characteristic Less than high school graduate | Total 76,288 | Labor force participation rate 68.9% | Unemployment rate 7.2% |
| Demographic characteristic High school graduate (includes equivalency) | Total 178,879 | Labor force participation rate 75.7% | Unemployment rate 6.1% |
| Demographic characteristic Some college or associate's degree | Total 299,536 | Labor force participation rate 80.1% | Unemployment rate 5.0% |
| Demographic characteristic Bachelor's degree or higher | Total 768,402 | Labor force participation rate 87.9% | Unemployment rate 2.8% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, S2301 | Employment Status
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