Real-Time Employer Demand

Monthly report December 2021

The Employer Demand and Supply-Demand Reports have been updated through November 2021.

November 2021 data shows that the ratio of job postings compared to unemployment benefit claimants has been affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The ratio for the number of job postings compared to those interacting with the unemployment insurance system from November 1 through November 30, 2021 was 4.02 job postings, whereas the November 2020 ratio was 0.32 job postings.

Supply demand at a glance

For this update, we will be covering the month-over-month difference between October 2021 and  November 2021. 

Month-over-month review

Total job postings decreased from 228,333 in October 2021 to 222,115 in November 2021, a decrease of 6,218 or 2.7 percent. The number of new job postings also experienced a decrease going from 81,910 new postings in October 2021 to 76,666 new postings in November 2021, a decrease of 5,244 or 6.4 percent.

Without the Seattle-King County region, the number of total job postings comparing October 2021 to November 2021 decreased by 1,969 or 1.7 percent, going from 113,821 to 111,852. The number of new job postings also experienced a decrease of 2,401 or 5.9 percent, going from 40,909 to 38,508 during this period.

In a month-over-month comparison, the Seattle-King County, Pacific Mountain, Tacoma-Pierce, and Benton-Franklin workforce development areas (WDAs) experienced decreases in the number of total job postings, with a reduction of 4,249, 1,648, 1,396, and 37, or 3.7, 11.6, 5.3, and 0.9 percent, respectively. Of the 12 WDAs, eight experienced growth during this time.

Occupations with the largest increase in total job postings comparing October 2021 and November 2021 were:

  • Transportation and material moving with an increase of 573 or 2.7 percent;

  • Health care practitioners and technical with an increase of 374 or 1.9 percent; and

  • Protective services with an increase of 154 or 4.6 percent.

Occupations with the largest decrease in total job postings comparing October 2021 and November 2021 were:

  • Management with a decrease of 1,334 or 4.4 percent;

  • Office and administrative support with a decrease of 1,307 or 4.9 percent; and

  • Computer and mathematical with a decrease of 1,252 or 5.7 percent.

All of this information, year-over-year analysis and changes occurring at the occupational level (Posting Analysis tab) can be found in the Supply Demand tool.

Thank you for your continued interest. If you have any feedback or comments about products and services, please contact us at LMEASystemPerformance@esd.wa.gov. For more labor market and economic information, please visit https://esd.wa.gov/labormarketinfo.

Steven Ross, Chief Analytics Officer

Employment Security Department
Labor Market and Economic Analysis
(360) 890-3736

Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Language assistance services for limited English proficient individuals are available free of charge. Washington Relay Service: 711.

CHA Washington