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.
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Employment
Pierce County’s job market has weakened noticeably in recent months. As of June 2026, the unemployment rate stood at 5.4 percent, with about 26,000 residents out of work out of a labor force of roughly 487,000 people. This continues a troubling trend that began earlier in the year, when unemployment peaked at 6.4 percent in January 2026, the highest level seen since the pandemic recovery period. Throughout 2025, the county had maintained a relatively healthy unemployment rate in the 4.5 to 5 percent range, making the 2026 rise stand out. For context, the county experienced its worst unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching nearly 19 percent in April 2020, so current levels remain far below that crisis point. However, the recent uptick is a meaningful shift away from the stronger conditions seen in 2024 and early 2025, and it suggests the local labor market may be facing new economic headwinds heading into the second half of 2026.
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
Inflation in the South Puget Sound region has climbed back above the national average in recent months, continuing a pattern seen for much of the past several years. After briefly dipping below the U.S. average in late 2024 and early 2025, regional inflation has accelerated, with the most recent estimate for Pierce County and the surrounding area reaching 4.53% as of June 2026, compared to 3.50% nationally. This widening gap mirrors the trend seen during the 2022 peak, when our region consistently ran hotter than the rest of the country, suggesting that local cost pressures are once again outpacing the broader national experience.
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.
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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…
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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.