January 2018
Businesses and policymakers alike rely on sound economic data when making decisions about growth, incentives and how to prepare for the future. In this inaugural edition of WorkForce Central’s Workforce Data, Trends & Realities report, leaders can review—and share—the latest information on demographics, employment trends, industry opportunities, the overall business climate and more.
Highlights from this report include:
- Pierce County wage growth (2.9 percent)
- Demand for health care support workers continues to grow (2.2 percent growth anticipated through 2018)
- The health care occupation group experienced the lowest unemployment rate of any major occupation group in Pierce County, at 1.8 percent (20,767 employed, 399 unemployed)
- The county’s median household income ($61,468 annually) is closing in on the state’s ($62,848 annually)
- Pierce County’s cost of living is 6.4 percent higher than the national average
- The median house value in Pierce County is $239,500, lower than the state median house value of $269,300, but higher than the national median value of $184,700
