State Spending Growth and Public Sector Job Growth

As Washingtonians learn about the growth of state spending over the years, it’s natural to wonder how this tracks with the economic fortunes of Washington households, including job growth, the growth of median household income, and the growth of household costs.

In the last year alone, private sector employment in Washington decreased by 15,200 jobs. Public sector employment increased by an estimated 24,300 jobs.3

In the last four years:

  • State spending has increased nearly 40%.2

  • State revenues have increased by 25%.3

  • Median household income has increased by 15%.4

  • Consumer prices in Washington have grown to the 5th most of any state in the country.5

  • Gas prices have grown 18%6 and are among the highest in the nation. 7

  • Childcare costs have grown 21%8 and are the 3rd highest in the nation.9

  • Food prices have grown 20%10 and are the 4th highest in the nation. 11

  • • Housing costs have grown 8%12 and are the 5th highest in the nation.13