Pierce County profile

Learn about Pierce County's unique labor market information and more.

Posted June 2025

May 2025 highlights

In May, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 4.7% from 4.6% in April, and total nonfarm employment increased by 1,300.

Summary

Pierce County is the second most populous county in the state based on the 2020 census. Tacoma is the county seat and largest city. Pierce County’s economy is supported by various industries, including aerospace, health care, logistics and technology. Its government sector is bolstered by Joint Base Lewis-McChord which is the sector’s largest employer. Pierce County is also home to the Port of Tacoma, the sixth busiest container port in North America and one of the 25 busiest in the world.

The county is a regional component of the Puget Sound economy. Its proximity to King County gives Pierce County residents access to the labor market in both counties. Today, 25% to 30% of workers residing in Pierce County commute to King County for work.

Location

A dark blue map of Washington state with Pierce County highlighted in orange.

Pierce County is located at the southern basin of Puget Sound, and shares contiguous boundaries with six counties: King, Thurston, Kitsap, Mason, Lewis, and Yakima. Formed out of Thurston County in 1852 by the legislature of the Oregon territory, it was named for U.S. President Franklin Pierce. The county is a mix of old and newly incorporated cities, growing unincorporated areas, large-scale federal military installations, and rural areas.

Pierce County is part of the three-county Seattle Tacoma Bellevue MSA and as a subset of the MSA is the Tacoma-Lakewood Metropolitan Division

Employment situation for May 2025

Labor force and unemployment

  • The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Pierce County was 4.7% in May 2025, up from 4.6% in April 2025 and up from 4.3% 12 months ago.

  • The labor force decreased over the year, losing 1,319 participants (down 0.7%).

Unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted

A chart showing the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the United States, Washington and Pierce County from January 2014 to May 2025.

Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Local area unemployment statistics

Payroll employment

  • Total nonfarm employment increased by 1,300 from April 2025 to May 2025.

  • Overall, employment growth continues but is slowing.
  • Over the month, employment increased in seven major industry sectors, decreased in three and was unchanged in two. The largest increase was in mining, logging and construction. The deepest loss occurred in professional and business services.
  • From May 2024 to May 2025, total nonfarm employment fell by 1,700 (0.5%).
  • Over the course of the year, employment in four major industries expanded, seven contracted and one was unchanged.
  • Of the industry sectors, employment in private education and health services increased the most while mining, logging and construction experienced the deepest one-year losses.

Nonfarm employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted, Pierce County

NAICS Industry Title May 2025 (Prelim) Apr 2025 (Revised) May 2024 (Revised) Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change May 2024 to May 2025 Change May 2024 to May 2025 % Change
NAICS Industry Title Total nonfarm May 2025 (Prelim) 343,500 Apr 2025 (Revised) 342,200 May 2024 (Revised) 345,200 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 1,300 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -1,700 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -0.5%
NAICS Industry Title Total private (total nonfarm less government) May 2025 (Prelim) 282,200 Apr 2025 (Revised) 280,900 May 2024 (Revised) 283,900 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 1,300 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -1,700 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -0.6%
NAICS Industry Title Goods-producing May 2025 (Prelim) 40,400 Apr 2025 (Revised) 39,700 May 2024 (Revised) 42,900 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 700 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -2,500 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -5.8%
NAICS Industry Title - Mining, logging and construction May 2025 (Prelim) 24,400 Apr 2025 (Revised) 23,300 May 2024 (Revised) 26,000 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 1,100 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -1,600 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -6.2%
NAICS Industry Title - Manufacturing May 2025 (Prelim) 16,000 Apr 2025 (Revised) 16,400 May 2024 (Revised) 16,900 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change -400 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -900 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -5.3%
NAICS Industry Title Service-providing May 2025 (Prelim) 303,100 Apr 2025 (Revised) 302,500 May 2024 (Revised) 302,300 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 600 May 2024 to May 2025 Change 800 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change 0.3%
NAICS Industry Title - Wholesale trade May 2025 (Prelim) 14,400 Apr 2025 (Revised) 14,300 May 2024 (Revised) 13,400 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 100 May 2024 to May 2025 Change 1,000 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change 7.5%
NAICS Industry Title - Retail trade May 2025 (Prelim) 36,100 Apr 2025 (Revised) 35,600 May 2024 (Revised) 36,400 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 500 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -300 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -0.8%
NAICS Industry Title - Transportation, warehousing, and utilities May 2025 (Prelim) 72,300 Apr 2025 (Revised) 71,600 May 2024 (Revised) 71,000 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 700 May 2024 to May 2025 Change 1,300 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change 1.8%
NAICS Industry Title - Information May 2025 (Prelim) 1,800 Apr 2025 (Revised) 1,800 May 2024 (Revised) 2,000 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 0 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -200 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -10.0%
NAICS Industry Title - Financial activities May 2025 (Prelim) 14,600 Apr 2025 (Revised) 14,700 May 2024 (Revised) 14,800 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change -100 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -200 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -1.4%
NAICS Industry Title - Professional and business services May 2025 (Prelim) 38,900 Apr 2025 (Revised) 39,700 May 2024 (Revised) 39,700 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change -800 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -800 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -2.0%
NAICS Industry Title - Private education and health services May 2025 (Prelim) 65,100 Apr 2025 (Revised) 64,600 May 2024 (Revised) 63,800 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 500 May 2024 to May 2025 Change 1,300 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change 2.0%
NAICS Industry Title - Leisure and hospitality May 2025 (Prelim) 35,400 Apr 2025 (Revised) 35,200 May 2024 (Revised) 36,200 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 200 May 2024 to May 2025 Change -800 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change -2.2%
NAICS Industry Title - Other services May 2025 (Prelim) 13,700 Apr 2025 (Revised) 13,600 May 2024 (Revised) 13,500 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 100 May 2024 to May 2025 Change 200 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change 1.5%
NAICS Industry Title - Government May 2025 (Prelim) 61,300 Apr 2025 (Revised) 61,300 May 2024 (Revised) 61,300 Apr 2025 to May 2025 Change 0 May 2024 to May 2025 Change 0 May 2024 to May 2025 % Change 0.0%

Note: Data benchmarked through December 2024updated June 18, 2025.
Source: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Washington employment estimates (WA-QB & CES)
Detailed tables can be found on the source page in the third spreadsheet titled Current employment estimates, not seasonally adjusted.

Industry employment (covered employment)

Employment in government services makes up roughly 22% of all total nonfarm employment in Pierce County. Joint Base Lewis-McChord figures prominently, particularly through the proportion of federal workers employed. Emerald Queen Casino, which is classified within local government, is also a large employer in the area.

Pierce County serves as a regional provider of health care for the South Puget Sound. MultiCare Health System and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health are the largest providers of health care across the county.

Construction employment is important in Pierce County. Housing development has grown into local suburbs that offers a lower cost alternative for commuters to King County. The continual need to upgrade and modernize facilities at the military base also helps support residential construction activity and military contract work for the construction industry.

Employment by industry, Pierce County 2023 annual average

A bar graph showing the 2023 annual average industry employment in Pierce County

A bar graph showing the 2023 annual average industry employment in Pierce County, from highest to lowestSource: Employment Security Department/Labor Market Information and Research Division, Covered Employment (QCEW)

Average annual covered employment in Pierce County was 330,904 in 2023. 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 (58,671)
  • Health care and social assistance (54,778)
  • Retail trade (36,867)
  • Accommodation and food services (29,482)
  • Administrative and waste management services (24,768)

Wages can vary substantially from one industry sector to another. The average annual wage in Pierce County for all industries was $66,977 in 2023.

The top five sectors in terms of wage in 2023:

  • Utilities ($120,194)
  • Finance and insurance ($98,559)
  • Information ($97,354)
  • Utilities ($96,721)
  • Real estate and rental and leasing ($95,594)

Workforce demographics for Pierce County

Age

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Demographic characteristic Population 16 years and over Total 11,508 Labor force participation rate 47.0% Unemployment rate 6.7%
Demographic characteristic 16 to 19 years Total 558 Labor force participation rate 45.5% Unemployment rate 22.0%
Demographic characteristic 20 to 24 years Total 828 Labor force participation rate 62.8% Unemployment rate 8.5%
Demographic characteristic 25 to 29 years Total 533 Labor force participation rate 86.5% Unemployment rate 5.2%
Demographic characteristic 30 to 34 years Total 701 Labor force participation rate 70.8% Unemployment rate 4.8%
Demographic characteristic 35 to 44 years Total 1,309 Labor force participation rate 79.8% Unemployment rate 6.6%
Demographic characteristic 45 to 54 years Total 1,523 Labor force participation rate 71.0% Unemployment rate 6.4%
Demographic characteristic 55 to 59 years Total 1,230 Labor force participation rate 50.1% Unemployment rate 4.9%
Demographic characteristic 60 to 64 years Total 1,097 Labor force participation rate 45.5% Unemployment rate 9.4%
Demographic characteristic 65 to 74 years Total 2,417 Labor force participation rate 16.6% Unemployment rate 0.0%
Demographic characteristic 75 years and over Total 1,312 Labor force participation rate 2.7% Unemployment rate 0.0%

Race or Hispanic origin

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Demographic characteristic White alone Total 10,147 Labor force participation rate 45.1% Unemployment rate 7.0%
Demographic characteristic Black or African American alone Total 17 Labor force participation rate 29.4% Unemployment rate 0.0%
Demographic characteristic American Indian and Alaska Native alone Total 210 Labor force participation rate 43.3% Unemployment rate 3.3%
Demographic characteristic Asian alone Total 46 Labor force participation rate 15.2% Unemployment rate 0.0%
Demographic characteristic Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander alone Total 25 Labor force participation rate 100.0% Unemployment rate 0.0%
Demographic characteristic Some other race alone Total 195 Labor force participation rate 53.3% Unemployment rate 0.0%
Demographic characteristic Two or more races Total 868 Labor force participation rate 69.2% Unemployment rate 6.8%
Demographic characteristic Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) Total 405 Labor force participation rate 44.7% Unemployment rate 15.5%
Demographic characteristic White alone, not Hispanic or Latino Total 10,079 Labor force participation rate 45.3% Unemployment rate 7.0%
Demographic characteristic Population 20 to 64 years Total 7,221 Labor force participation rate 65.4% Unemployment rate 6.5%

Sex

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Demographic characteristic Male Total 3,712 Labor force participation rate 71.1% Unemployment rate 9.0%
Demographic characteristic Female Total 3,509 Labor force participation rate 59.2% Unemployment rate 3.4%

Females with children

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Demographic characteristic With own children under 18 Total 1,039 Labor force participation rate 68.2% Unemployment rate 1.7%
Demographic characteristic With own children under 6 only Total 253 Labor force participation rate 83.8% Unemployment rate 1.4%
Demographic characteristic With own children under 6 and 6 to 17 Total 176 Labor force participation rate 63.6% Unemployment rate 0.0%
Demographic characteristic With own children 6 to 17 only Total 610 Labor force participation rate 63.1% Unemployment rate 2.3%

Poverty status in the past 12 months

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Demographic characteristic Below poverty level Total 1,201 Labor force participation rate 37.1% Unemployment rate 19.5%
Demographic characteristic At or above the poverty level Total 5,970 Labor force participation rate 71.6% Unemployment rate 5.1%

Disability status

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Demographic characteristic With any disability Total 1,302 Labor force participation rate 30.3% Unemployment rate 8.4%

Educational attainment

Demographic characteristic Total Labor force participation rate Unemployment rate
Demographic characteristic Population 25 to 64 years Total 6,393 Labor force participation rate 65.7% Unemployment rate 6.3%
Demographic characteristic Less than high school graduate Total 336 Labor force participation rate 39.3% Unemployment rate 5.3%
Demographic characteristic High school graduate (includes equivalency) Total 2,294 Labor force participation rate 65.5% Unemployment rate 10.2%
Demographic characteristic Some college or associate's degree Total 2,586 Labor force participation rate 66.6% Unemployment rate 3.4%
Demographic characteristic Bachelor's degree or higher Total 1,177 Labor force participation rate 71.5% Unemployment rate 5.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, S2301 | Employment Status

Visit the U.S. Census Bureau website for more quick facts about Pierce County.

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