Seattles job market in early 2026 reflects a national slowdown with sluggish hiring, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports only 50,000 jobs added nationwide in December 2025, down from stronger 2024 gains, while unemployment dipped to 4.4 percent. Locally, the employment landscape centers on tech giants like Microsoft in nearby Redmond, alongside startups and logistics firms, though data specific to Seattle is limited, with gaps in metro-level statistics beyond national trends. Major industries include technology, healthcare, and transportation, with key employers such as Securitas, Trader Joes, Eurest, Sodexo, and Talent Software Services hiring in Redmond, per ZipRecruiter, and trucking companies like System Transport and T-W Transport active statewide, according to FreightWaves. Growing sectors feature crypto and AI-driven startups, highlighted by Coinmes recognition as a top Seattle startup workplace by Built In on January 12, 2026, emphasizing remote-first roles. Trends show reluctance in hiring amid high salary exemption thresholds over $80,000, pressuring small businesses per Puget Sound Business Journal, alongside a shift to hybrid and remote work. Recent developments include weak 2025 payroll growth averaging 49,000 monthly nationwide per BLS, with service sectors like food services gaining modestly but retail losing 25,000 jobs. Seasonal patterns typically see post-holiday slowdowns, aligning with December's stagnation, while commuting trends favor remote options, as seen in Coinmes model. Government initiatives are not detailed in available data. The market is evolving cautiously in an AI-first era, with startups standing out for culture and flexibility. Key findings include stable low unemployment masking slow growth, tech and remote opportunities persisting, but broader economic lags challenging job seekers. Current openings include remote roles at Coinme via coinme.com/careers, hybrid contract positions in Seattle through Robert Half, and hourly jobs from $28 to $95 at Redmond firms like Securitas on ZipRecruiter. Thank you listeners for tuning in, and please subscribe. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

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