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 shown signs of strain in early 2026. The most recent data from April 2026 shows an unemployment rate of 5.4 percent, with about 26,700 people out of work out of a labor force of roughly 494,000. While April’s rate is a slight improvement from January 2026’s high of 6.4 percent, it remains notably higher than the same time last year, when April 2025 unemployment sat at just 4.5 percent.
This uptick continues a trend that began in mid-2025, when unemployment started climbing after reaching its lowest point around May 2025 at 4.5 percent. For context, the county saw its worst unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic, peaking near 18.9 percent in April 2020. Current levels, while elevated compared to recent years, remain well below those historic highs and the double-digit rates seen during the 2010-2012 period.
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 followed a trajectory broadly similar to the national average, though our region consistently ran hotter during the peak inflation period of 2022 and into 2023 before gradually converging with national trends. By late 2024 and into early 2025, Pierce County’s year-over-year inflation rate had actually dipped below the national average — reaching a low of 1.67% in April 2025 compared to 2.32% nationally — marking a notable reversal from years prior. More recently, however, regional inflation has resumed an upward trend, with the most recent estimate for our region at 4.92% as of April 2026, outpacing the national average of 3.80% and suggesting that South Puget Sound residents may once again be feeling price pressures more acutely than the rest of the country.
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
(Mar 2025 – May 2026)
Between March 2025 and May 2026, Pierce County, WA saw approximately 93.9 total unique job postings from around 7.6 unique companies, reflecting a broad range of employer activity across the region. Healthcare dominated the occupation landscape, with Registered and Practical Nursing leading all job postings at over 5,000 unique listings, followed by strong demand in Retail Sales and Service, Non-Technical Sales, and Truck and Bus Drivers. General Medical and Surgical Hospitals were the top industry by unique postings with 7,800 listings, well ahead of Elementary and Secondary Schools and Offices of Physicians, underscoring the county’s significant reliance on the healthcare and education sectors. Rounding out the demand picture, food service, transportation, and retail industries also maintained a consistent presence in the job market, pointing to a diverse but service-oriented local economy.
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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Skilled Jobs in Pierce County: Gaps & Opportunities
Excerpt
WorkForce Central on behalf of the Pierce County Workforce Development Council commissioned a comprehensive study of skilled employment across Pierce County. The purpose of the…
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Pierce County Workforce Data, Trends & Realities
Excerpt
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…
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.