Pierce County profile

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

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

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

Note: Data benchmarked through December 2024, updated 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

Source: 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

Race or Hispanic origin

Sex

Females with children

Poverty status in the past 12 months

Disability status

Educational attainment

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.

This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, expressed or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.