Industries with the highest employment in Seattle
Written by:
February 25, 2021
Updated on February 26, 2021
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Industries with the highest employment in Seattle
The COVID-19 pandemic radically altered the U.S. economy, with unemployment peaking at , according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While jobs have been gaining since, millions of out-of-work Americans are still searching for jobs.
Before COVID-19 gutted the economy, the United States' economic landscape was , with health care, computer systems design, and scientific industries leading a push for more employment. On the flip side, industries like wired telecommunications, postal service, and textile production are showing a rapid decline. With the development of newer and more advanced technologies every day, the job landscape is shifting and so are the pay demands and prerequisite skills. There is a strong correlation between advanced education and a higher salary鈥攚orkers with higher education levels have higher wages and lower unemployment rates. Of course, it should be noted that obstacles remain for universal access to quality higher education.
compiled a list of industries with the highest employment in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area using data from . Industries are ranked by number of employees as of 2019.
Keep reading to see which industries in Seattle are the surest bets for employment.
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#19. Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
- Employed: 385 (0.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -62.5%
National
- Employed: 799,011
- Percent of total employment: 0.5%
- #19 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 385 (0.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: -62.5%
National
- Employed: 799,011
- Percent of total employment: 0.5%
- #19 most common industry nationwide
#18. Management of companies and enterprises
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
- Employed: 6,617 (0.3% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +207.2%
National
- Employed: 232,031
- Percent of total employment: 0.1%
- #20 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 6,617 (0.3% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +207.2%
National
- Employed: 232,031
- Percent of total employment: 0.1%
- #20 most common industry nationwide
#17. Utilities
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
- Employed: 11,665 (0.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +18.7%
National
- Employed: 1,272,369
- Percent of total employment: 0.8%
- #18 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 11,665 (0.5% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +18.7%
National
- Employed: 1,272,369
- Percent of total employment: 0.8%
- #18 most common industry nationwide
#16. Arts, entertainment, and recreation
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
- Employed: 50,380 (2.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +18.5%
National
- Employed: 3,532,697
- Percent of total employment: 2.2%
- #14 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 50,380 (2.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +18.5%
National
- Employed: 3,532,697
- Percent of total employment: 2.2%
- #14 most common industry nationwide
#15. Real estate and rental and leasing
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
- Employed: 51,015 (2.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +29.6%
National
- Employed: 3,034,330
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #15 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 51,015 (2.4% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +29.6%
National
- Employed: 3,034,330
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #15 most common industry nationwide
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#14. Wholesale trade
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
- Employed: 60,081 (2.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +20.0%
National
- Employed: 4,013,368
- Percent of total employment: 2.5%
- #13 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 60,081 (2.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +20.0%
National
- Employed: 4,013,368
- Percent of total employment: 2.5%
- #13 most common industry nationwide
#13. Information
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
- Employed: 60,638 (2.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +36.2%
National
- Employed: 2,959,616
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #16 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 60,638 (2.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +36.2%
National
- Employed: 2,959,616
- Percent of total employment: 1.9%
- #16 most common industry nationwide
#12. Finance and insurance
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
- Employed: 66,186 (3.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +0.8%
National
- Employed: 7,263,440
- Percent of total employment: 4.6%
- #10 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 66,186 (3.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +0.8%
National
- Employed: 7,263,440
- Percent of total employment: 4.6%
- #10 most common industry nationwide
#11. Public administration
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
- Employed: 79,405 (3.7% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +0.7%
National
- Employed: 7,140,292
- Percent of total employment: 4.5%
- #11 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 79,405 (3.7% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +0.7%
National
- Employed: 7,140,292
- Percent of total employment: 4.5%
- #11 most common industry nationwide
#10. Administrative and support and waste management services
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
- Employed: 89,636 (4.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +32.4%
National
- Employed: 6,766,918
- Percent of total employment: 4.3%
- #12 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 89,636 (4.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +32.4%
National
- Employed: 6,766,918
- Percent of total employment: 4.3%
- #12 most common industry nationwide
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#9. Transportation and warehousing
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
- Employed: 100,220 (4.7% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +48.3%
National
- Employed: 7,665,636
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #8 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 100,220 (4.7% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +48.3%
National
- Employed: 7,665,636
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #8 most common industry nationwide
#8. Other services, except public administration
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
- Employed: 105,886 (5.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +26.1%
National
- Employed: 7,584,054
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #9 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 105,886 (5.0% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +26.1%
National
- Employed: 7,584,054
- Percent of total employment: 4.8%
- #9 most common industry nationwide
#7. Accommodation and food services
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
- Employed: 131,191 (6.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +24.7%
National
- Employed: 11,801,878
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #5 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 131,191 (6.2% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +24.7%
National
- Employed: 11,801,878
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #5 most common industry nationwide
#6. Construction
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
- Employed: 146,377 (6.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +47.7%
National
- Employed: 11,036,894
- Percent of total employment: 7.0%
- #7 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 146,377 (6.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +47.7%
National
- Employed: 11,036,894
- Percent of total employment: 7.0%
- #7 most common industry nationwide
#5. Educational services
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
- Employed: 168,340 (7.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +24.2%
National
- Employed: 14,839,461
- Percent of total employment: 9.3%
- #4 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 168,340 (7.9% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +24.2%
National
- Employed: 14,839,461
- Percent of total employment: 9.3%
- #4 most common industry nationwide
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#4. Manufacturing
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
- Employed: 208,919 (9.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +4.4%
National
- Employed: 15,770,698
- Percent of total employment: 9.9%
- #3 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 208,919 (9.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +4.4%
National
- Employed: 15,770,698
- Percent of total employment: 9.9%
- #3 most common industry nationwide
#3. Retail trade
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
- Employed: 245,574 (11.6% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +24.6%
National
- Employed: 17,216,634
- Percent of total employment: 10.8%
- #2 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 245,574 (11.6% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +24.6%
National
- Employed: 17,216,634
- Percent of total employment: 10.8%
- #2 most common industry nationwide
#2. Health care and social assistance
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
- Employed: 256,691 (12.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +21.8%
National
- Employed: 22,131,751
- Percent of total employment: 13.9%
- #1 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 256,691 (12.1% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +21.8%
National
- Employed: 22,131,751
- Percent of total employment: 13.9%
- #1 most common industry nationwide
#1. Professional, scientific, and technical services
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
- Employed: 271,476 (12.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +61.6%
National
- Employed: 11,765,340
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #6 most common industry nationwide
- Employed: 271,476 (12.8% of total employment)
- Change in employment from 2010 to 2019: +61.6%
National
- Employed: 11,765,340
- Percent of total employment: 7.4%
- #6 most common industry nationwide
