WA shed more construction jobs than any other state in 12-month span

Washington’s construction industry has thinned out as fewer projects materialize amid economic uncertainties.

The state lost 11,300 construction industry jobs between June 2024 to June 2025, the largest employment decrease in the country, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area accounted for one-third of the job losses.

“There's no question that developers have pulled back. Or, the banks have pulled in the lending chain on them,” AGC Chief Economist Ken Simonson told the Business Journal. “So, they're not getting money to put up (developments), particularly the high-rise buildings.”

Vacancy rates remain stubbornly high in the Seattle-area office market, inching closer to 30% despite more employers implementing return-to-office policies. Consequently, property values for once-coveted commercial buildings have sunk.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2025/07/31/construction-jobs-washington-projects.html