The Labor Market and Economic Analysis (LMEA) branch of Washington state's Employment Security Department (ESD) gathers, analyzes, and publishes information about the state's labor market. Data are gathered from tax reports, employers, government agencies, surveys, and other sources. This raw material is analyzed and edited for privacy.
The resulting information is disseminated via papers, reports, the Web (www.workforceexplorer.com), news releases, forums, speeches, and consultations. Information and analyses are provided to decision makers at all levels, including government policymakers, county commissioners, economic planners, educators, students, and job seekers.
Every month we release the latest employment numbers and unemployment rates for nonfarm employment. We also provide average wage information for all industries, and occupations employed within those industries.
All of this information tells the story of Washington's economy, job market, businesses, and workforce. Data on jobs and workers, including labor force, employment and unemployment, industrial growth, occupational trends and wages, are increasingly important in getting a clear picture of the global economy.
Mission and Goals
As a branch of Employment Security, LMEA shares ESD’s mission: "Help Washington's workers and employers succeed in the global economy by delivering superior employment services, timely benefits, and a fair and stable unemployment insurance system."
One of ESD’s goals that is directly related to the work of LMEA is to help leadership make data-driven decisions. LMEA provides accurate and timely data to make those decisions.
We also want to simplify and increase access to economic information and analyses for workers, businesses, and policymakers. Our Web site, Workforce Explorer, is one way we provide that information.
Another of ESD’s goals is to improve public access to economic information for career planning and to provide timely, high-quality, professionally-presented information to stakeholders and decision makers. At LMEA, we do this by providing data and information that will help policymakers make informed decisions. We also respond to information requests from stakeholders and the Legislature.
Regional Labor Economists
We have twelve regional labor economists, each serving one of the 12 regional Workforce Development Areas (WDAs) in the state. These labor economists provide custom services to many professionals and organizations in their area including the local WorkSource Offices, Workforce Development Councils, non-profit organizations, the higher education system, and businesses.
Find local economists and the areas they serve.
Economic Symposiums
Every year we host at least two economic symposiums; one in the Olympia area in November, and one in Spokane, usually in May. Occasionally, we host one in Yakima.
These symposiums feature presentations by economists from LMEA and other organizations who present overviews of state, national, and local area economies, as well as specific topics that are relevant to current issues. We post the presentations on our Web site after the events.
Labor Market Information Center (LMIC)
Our information center can help answer questions ranging from how to find information on our Web site, to ad hoc data queries. You can contact our information center any time during normal working hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday). We are closed on weekends and holidays.
We are here to help you make informed decisions about careers, the economy, and the workforce. Let us know how we can help you.
