Population: 7,170,000
2016 job growth: 2.8 percent
New jobs in 2016: 88,320
Unemployment rate by year-end 2016: 5.7 percent
Largest company in state: Costco
Though Washington doesn't top the list for job growth rate, a recent ADP report ranks Washington first for combined job and wage growth. The state’s aerospace industry may be cutting costs, but companies like Amazon, Starbucks, and Facebook are set to expand within Washington, according to Kiplinger. The tech industry is also strong, especially in Seattle. Washington ranks fourth in the nation for percentage of jobs in high-tech industries.
