This page provides key Pierce County workforce development and labor market data, including employment, unemployment, labor force participation, job demand, wages, cost of living, and commuting patterns.
While regional statistics often group Pierce County with the greater Seattle metropolitan area, these dashboards focus on Pierce County: specific workforce trends to support data‑driven decisions by county leaders, workforce professionals, employers, and the public.
Jump to section:
Employment
In August 2026, Pierce County’s labor force stood at approximately 488,900 people, with around 463,800 employed and just over 25,000 out of work. The unemployment rate came in at 5.1 percent, which is a slight improvement from July 2026’s rate of 5.4 percent.
Looking at the broader trend, unemployment in Pierce County has been gradually rising over the past year or so. In mid-2025, the jobless rate hovered around 4.5 to 5.1 percent, but by early 2026 it climbed to 6.4 percent before easing back down. This recent uptick contrasts with the more stable and lower rates seen in 2023 and 2024, when unemployment frequently dipped into the low-to-mid 4 percent range. While the current 5.1 percent rate is far better than the pandemic peak of nearly 19 percent seen in April 2020, it signals a softening job market that residents and local officials may want to watch closely in the months ahead.
This section provides a high‑level overview of employment conditions in Pierce County, including the size of the labor force and the number of people who are employed. These key performance indicators help county leaders, workforce professionals, and employers quickly assess the overall health of the local labor market and understand how many residents are actively participating in work.
Labor Force
Employed
Layoffs & Unemployment
This section highlights unemployment and job loss indicators in Pierce County, including the number of unemployed workers and the unemployment rate. These metrics provide insight into economic disruptions, labor market stability, and the level of support residents may need during periods of transition. Layoff and unemployment data is critical for workforce planning and rapid response efforts.
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate
WARN Layoff Notices
this quarter
Affected Workers
| WARN | Other* |
|---|---|
| 44 Q1 | 153 Q1 |
| 44 YTD | 153 YTD |
*Workers engaged with WorkForce Central’s Business Solutions’ Rapid Response
Cost of Living
After peaking above 10% in mid-2022, inflation in the South Puget Sound region and across the nation followed a similar downward path through 2023 and into 2024, with both measures falling to roughly 2–3% by late 2024. However, more recent data show regional inflation beginning to climb again, with Pierce County’s most recent estimate reaching 4.36% year-over-year as of August 2026. This uptick mirrors a broader national trend of modest re-acceleration, though our region’s rate has moved higher than the national average of 3.37% over the same period, continuing a pattern in which South Puget Sound inflation has frequently run above the national average during periods of rising prices.
Cost of living data compares local and national inflation trends, including year‑over‑year changes in the region. These indicators help explain how rising prices affect workers, wages, and household budgets in Pierce County. Understanding inflation trends provides important context for wage growth and economic stability.
Pierce Inflation Rate
National Inflation Rate
Labor Market & Demand
(Jun 2026 – Aug 2026)
During the summer months of June through August 2026, Pierce County, WA saw an average of 19 unique job postings from approximately 3.6 companies, reflecting a concentrated hiring landscape among a relatively small number of employers. The top occupation by unique postings was Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver with 941 postings, followed by Retail Sales Associate at 569 and Registered Nurse at 544, indicating strong demand across transportation, retail, and healthcare sectors. General Medical and Surgical Hospitals led all industries with 1,055 unique postings, while Elementary and Secondary Schools came in second with 795, suggesting that healthcare and education were the primary drivers of workforce demand in the region during this period. Rounding out the top industries were Offices of Physicians and Supermarkets and Other Grocery Stores, further underscoring the county’s reliance on essential services and community-facing roles to sustain its labor market.
This section provides real‑time insight into labor market demand in Pierce County, using job posting data to show what employers are hiring for right now. Metrics such as top employers, in‑demand occupations, required education and experience, wages, skills, and hiring locations help businesses, workforce professionals, and educators align talent supply with employer needs.
Jobs Posted
Companies Posting
Top Employers by Unique Job Postings
Top Jobs by Unique Job Postings
Labor Market Trends
Top Industries by Unique Job Postings
Top Cities by Unique Job Postings
Top Skills by Unique Job Postings
Commuters
Commuting data illustrates how workers move in and out of Pierce County for employment, including residents who live and work locally, commute out of the county, or commute in from surrounding areas. Understanding commuting patterns helps regional planners and employers assess labor availability, transportation needs, and the broader labor shed that supports Pierce County’s economy.
Reports
Explore recent reports published by WorkForce Central.
-
Pierce County Young Adults: Disconnection & Opportunity – 2026 Report
Excerpt
This report examines the experiences of the more than 14,000 disconnected young adults in Pierce County and the systems shaping their access to work and…
-
Creating Pathways to Possibility for Young Adults in Pierce County
Excerpt
The reality young adults are facing Connecting young adults to real opportunities is an honor. Many of them have heard “no” more times than they…
Questions & Requests
If you have questions about any of our reports or would like to submit a data request, get in touch via our contact form.