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. In February 2026, the unemployment rate reached 6.1 percent, with about 30,600 residents out of work out of a labor force of roughly 500,000. This follows a January 2026 rate of 6.4 percent, which was the highest recorded since early 2021 when the region was still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
To put this in context, unemployment in Pierce County spent most of 2022 through 2024 in the 4 to 5 percent range, and even dipped as low as 4.1 percent in December 2024. The recent uptick represents a noticeable reversal of that trend. While the current rate is far below the peak of 18.9 percent seen in April 2020, the steady climb over the past several months suggests the local labor market is softening and worth watching 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
In South Puget Sound, year-over-year CPI has recently ticked up, with the most recent estimate at 3.92% (February 2026), up from about 2.71% in December 2024 and 3.13% in December 2025. Nationally, the US average is 2.42% in February 2026, meaning our region is running hotter than the country overall. Over the past year, Pierce County saw inflation cool into mid-2025 (down to 1.67% in April 2025) before re-accelerating through late 2025 and early 2026, whereas the U.S. trend has generally eased from around 3% in mid-2024 to the low-2% range.
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
(Jan 2026 – Mar 2026)
During the first quarter of 2026, Pierce County, WA saw approximately 3,300 unique companies post around 18,600 job openings, reflecting a broad and active labor market across the region. Healthcare dominated hiring activity, with General Medical and Surgical Hospitals leading all industries at 1,449 unique postings, and Registered and Practical Nursing topping the list of in-demand occupations with 905 postings. Beyond healthcare, employers in food service, retail, and transportation also showed strong demand, with occupations like Retail Sales and Service, Non-Technical Sales, and Truck and Bus Drivers each generating hundreds of openings. Elementary and Secondary Schools ranked as the second busiest industry with 483 postings, signaling continued workforce needs in education alongside the county’s robust healthcare and service 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.
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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.
