Updated July 01, 2020 Average weekly wages for all industries by county Seattle metro area, fourth quarter 2019 (U.S. = $1,185; Area = $1,540) Source: U.S. BLS, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages. Seattle Area Economic Summary 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. Unemployment rates for the nation and selected areas Over-the-year changes in employment on nonfarm payrolls and employment by major industry sector 16.9 16.2 14.3 15.2 14.8 13.0 5.1 2.9 2.7 3.2 4.1 3.4 0.0 10.0 20.0 Pierce County Snohomish County King County Seattle metro area Washington United States May-19 May-20 Source: U.S. BLS, Local Area Unemployment Statistics. Unemployment rates -16.0 -14.0 -12.0 -10.0 -8.0 -6.0 -4.0 -2.0 0.0 2.0 4.0 May-17 May-18 May-19 May-20 Seattle metro area United States Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics. 12-month percent changes in employment Number Percent Total nonfarm 1,843.0 -246.6 -11.8 Mining and logging 1.0 -0.1 -9.1 Construction 114.4 -14.4 -11.2 Manufacturing 171.2 -13.7 -7.4 Trade, transportation, and util ities 359.2 -34.8 -8.8 Information 126.9 1.3 1.0 Financial activities 99.8 -3.1 -3.0 Professional and business services 287.0 -12.5 -4.2 Education and health services 252.1 -32.4 -11.4 Leisure and hospitality 108.6 -101.8 -48.4 Other services 58.2 -20.3 -25.9 Government 264.6 -14.8 -5.3 Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics. Change from May 2019 May 2020 Seattle metro area employment (number in thousands) Over-the-year change in the prices paid by urban consumers for selected categories Over-the-year changes in the selling prices received by producers for selected industries nationwide Average hourly wages for selected occupations Over-the-year changes in wages and salaries Western Information Office • BLSinfoSF@bls.gov • https://www.bls.gov/regions/west • 415-625-2270 Average annual spending and percent distribution for selected categories Employer costs per hour worked for wages and selected employee benefits by geographic division 1.3 5.2 -13.9 0.3 3.5 -17.7 -20.0 -15.0 -10.0 -5.0 0.0 5.0 10.0 All items Food Energy Seattle metro area U.S. city average Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Price Index. 12-month percent change in CPI-U, April 2020 -25.0 -20.0 -15.0 -10.0 -5.0 0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 May-17 May-18 May-19 May-20 General freight trucking Hospitals Hotels (exc casino hotels) and motels Source: U.S. BLS, Producer Price Index. 12-month percent changes in PPI $29,269 $19,971 $11,999 $9,669 $11,412 $7,826 $10,719 $7,034 $5,355 $4,902 $16,110 $11,178 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Seattle area United States All other items Healthcare Personal insurance & pensions Food Transportation Housing Average annual expenditures, United States and Seattle area, 2017-18 Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Expenditure Survey. Occupation Seattle metro area United States All occupations $32.91 $25.72 Human resources managers 70.44 62.29 Registered nurses 43.62 37.24 Accountants and auditors 41.55 38.23 Electricians 36.51 29.02 Chefs and head cooks 31.75 27.07 Construction laborers 25.34 20.06 Source: U.S. BLS, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2019. Private industry, March 2020 West census region United States Total compensation $40.20 $35.34 Wages and salaries 28.28 24.82 Total benefits 11.91 10.53 Paid leave 3.03 2.58 Vacation 1.55 1.32 Supplemental pay 1.12 1.19 Insurance 3.18 2.80 Retirement and savings 1.46 1.25 Legally required benefits 3.12 2.70 Source: U.S. BLS, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation. 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 Mar-17 Mar-18 Mar-19 Mar-20 Seattle area United States Source: U.S. BLS, Employment Cost Index. 12-month percent changes in ECI