Midyear Check: 2017 Seattle Hiring Trends

By Jezabel Southard

Posted on June 23, 2017

Seattle continues to have one of the fastest-growing local economies in the country, with professional and business service jobs growing at a rate higher than that of Washington state and the U.S. in general. While this is promising news for job seekers, it puts pressure on employers, who find themselves competing for qualified talent.

Here are the hiring trends to watch for the remainder of 2017 and how to find the top talent you need:

As businesses boom, they need other businesses to maintain growth.

Growth in professional and business services—everything from computer design and architectural services to accounting, engineering, janitorial, and landscaping services—is expected to grow at 3 percent or more over the next year. Businesses that serve other businesses will need smart staffing strategies to find the people they need when they need them.

The war for tech talent continues.

Seattle has become one of the hottest tech hiring spots in the country in recent years. The state Employment Security Department (ESD) estimates that 4,600 new job openings in computer and mathematical occupations will be added in 2017 in King County alone, with additional job openings in Pierce and Snohomish Counties. And while large tech companies continue to lead the demand for tech talent, companies of all sizes are expected to be competing for qualified candidates.

Growth is coming from unexpected quarters.

Currently, all eyes are on the boom in Seattle’s business and tech industries—but experts recommend that other industries pay attention to staffing in their fields as well. Retail jobs are expected to grow by 2.8 percent through the end of the year, and jobs in leisure and hospitality are expected to grow by 2 percent.

Overall, Seattle’s unemployment rate is expected to hover around 3.7 percent for the remainder of 2017, considerably lower than the 5.3 percent national average. For employers, this means the competition for top talent will remain fierce. Partnering with a staffing firm that specializes in your industry can help you connect with people who will thrive in your company’s growing culture.

At TERRA Staffing, our recruiters have earned a place on the Best of Staffing—Client list, an award based solely on client satisfaction reports and given to only 2 percent of staffing firms nationwide each year. To find out how our award-winning service can help your business thrive in Seattle, find one our branches today

Categories: HR and Management Advice, Staffing Tips & Recruiting Trends

Tags: 2017 Hiring Trends in Seattle, 2017 Pacific Northwest Hiring Trends, 2017 Seattle Employment Trends, Hiring Top Talent in 2017, How to Hire Seasonal Staff in Seattle, King County Employment Update, Seattle Employment News, Seattle Hiring Trends, Workforce Solutions in Seattle

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