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
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
(Apr 2026 – Jun 2026)
In the second quarter of 2026, Pierce County, WA saw approximately 19,200 total unique job postings from around 3,700 unique companies, reflecting a broad and active labor market across the region. Healthcare and education dominated industry demand, with General Medical and Surgical Hospitals leading all sectors at 1,094 postings, followed by Elementary and Secondary Schools at 631 and Offices of Physicians at 483. In terms of occupations, Truck and Bus Drivers topped the list with 835 postings, while Retail Sales and Service and Registered and Practical Nursing followed closely with 745 and 738 postings respectively, highlighting strong demand in both transportation and healthcare roles. Overall, the data points to a diverse hiring landscape in Pierce County driven largely by healthcare, education, retail, and logistics sectors.
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.
-
2020 is Not Quite in the Rearview Mirror
Excerpt
WorkForce Central and the WorkSource Pierce system were tested as never before during 2020. As we move deeper into 2021, we know the pandemic is…
-
Wage Discrepancy Report
Excerpt
Introduction At WorkForce Central, our aim is to increase economic vitality for all Pierce County residents. Like many of our partners, we share the goals of increasing…
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.