Seattle Area Economic Summary
Updated June 28, 2017
This summary presents a sampling of economic information for the area; supplemental data are provided for regions
and the nation. Subjects include unemployment, employment, wages, prices, spending, and benefits. All data are
not seasonally adjusted and some may be subject to revision. Area definitions may differ by subject. For more area
summaries and geographic definitions, see www.bls.gov/regions/economic-summaries.htm.
Average weekly wages for all industries by county
Unemployment rates for the Seattle area,
selected area counties, and the nation
Seattle area, 4th quarter 2016
(U.S. = $1,067; Area = $1,339)
Unemployment rates
4.5
United States
4.1
4.3
Seattle area
3.6
3.8
King Co.
3.1
6.2
Pierce Co.
5.2
4.1
Snohomish Co.
0.0
3.5
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
May-16
May-17
Source: U.S. BLS, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.
Source: U.S. BLS, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.
Over-the-year changes in employment on nonfarm payrolls and employment by major industry sector
12-month percent changes in employment
Seattle area employment
(numbers in thousands)
Percent
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
May-14
Seattle area
May-15
United States
May-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
May-17
Total nonfarm
Mining and logging
Construction
Manufacturing
Trade, transportation, and utilities
Information
Financial activities
Professional and business services
Education and health services
Leisure and hospitality
Other services
Government
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
•
May
2017
1,999.0
1.1
116.8
179.1
379.0
107.7
99.5
284.4
271.1
202.0
73.6
284.7
Change from May
2016 to May 2017
Number
Percent
48.3
0.0
4.1
-8.0
15.2
5.0
2.7
7.1
9.4
8.3
0.7
3.8
2.5
0.0
3.6
-4.3
4.2
4.9
2.8
2.6
3.6
4.3
1.0
1.4
Over-the-year changes in the selling prices received by
producers for selected industries nationwide
Over-the-year change in the prices paid by urban
consumers for selected categories
12-month percent change in CPI-U, April 2017
13.7
14.0
6.0
12.0
Seattle area
U.S. city average
10.0
8.0
4.0
9.3
2.0
6.0
4.0
0.0
3.1
2.0
0.0
12-month percent changes in PPI
Percent
8.0
16.0
2.2
1.4
All Items
-2.0
0.5
Food
General freight trucking
Hospitals
Hotels (exc casino hotels) and motels
-4.0
Energy
-6.0
May-14
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Price Index.
Average annual spending and percent distribution for
selected categories
Seattle area average annual expenditures 2014-15
May-15
Healthcare
$4,635
6.7%
Personal
insurance &
pensions
$7,961
11.5%
Food
$8,929
12.9%
Transportation
$9,767
14.2%
Total:
$69,017
Employer costs per hour worked for wages and
selected employee benefits by geographic division
Total compensation
Wages and salaries
Total benefits
Paid leave
Vacation
Supplemental pay
Insurance
Retirement and savings
Legally required benefits
United
States
$29.41
$23.86
Human resources managers
59.74
57.79
Computer programmers
57.51
40.95
Civil engineers
42.84
43.14
Registered nurses
39.79
34.70
Accountants and auditors
35.72
36.89
Machinists
25.60
20.78
Roofers
24.11
20.23
Construction laborers
23.83
18.22
Retail salespersons
15.54
13.07
Cashiers
13.63
10.43
Cooks, fast food
13.25
9.89
Personal care aides
12.91
10.92
Source: U.S. BLS, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2016.
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Expenditure Survey.
Private industry, March 2017
Seattle area
Total, all occupations
Housing
$23,768
34.4%
May-17
Average hourly wages for selected occupations
Occupation
All other
$13,957
20.2%
May-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Producer Price Index.
Pacific (1)
$36.78
25.75
11.02
2.51
1.26
0.93
2.84
1.62
3.13
(1) Pacific includes AK, CA, HI, OR, and WA.
Source: U.S. BLS, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation.
United
States
$33.11
23.06
10.06
2.30
1.18
1.17
2.65
1.34
2.60
Over-the-year changes in wages and salaries
Percent
4.0
12-month percent changes in ECI
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Mar-14
Seattle area
Mar-15
Source: U.S. BLS, Employment Cost Index.
Western Information Office • [email protected] • https://www.bls.gov/regions/west • 415-625-2270
United States
Mar-16
Mar-17