Seattle averages 48.6 applicants per job across 15,493 open positions from 2,541 employers.
Data Engineer leads with 96 applicants per job—3.6× higher than the least competitive roles
Seattle's most competitive positions are concentrated in tech and finance roles. Our analysis of 15,493 LinkedIn job postings shows Data Engineer as the hardest role to land, with 96 applicants competing for each of just 72 openings. That's 3.6× more competitive than Store Manager roles and 98% above Seattle's average of 48.6 applicants per job.
Hardest to land — polish your resume
584+ openings across healthcare and skilled trades roles with just 27-25 applicants per job
Better odds — still need a great resume
Healthcare and skilled trades roles dominate Seattle's least competitive job categories. Store Manager positions have just 27 applicants per opening across 62 available jobs—3.6× easier to land than Data Engineer roles and 44% below Seattle's average competition of 48.6 applicants.
Software Engineer leads with 880 openings at 83 applicants per job | Data Engineer is hardest to land at 96 applicants | Store Manager easiest at 27
Our analysis of 15,493 LinkedIn job postings reveals significant variation in competition across Seattle's 31 major job categories. Software Engineer offers the most opportunity with 880 open positions, but faces 83 applicants per role. Meanwhile, Data Engineer is the hardest role to land in Seattle with 96 applicants competing for just 72 openings.
Of all 31 job titles analyzed, 7 roles are highly competitive (70+ applicants) accounting for 1,773 jobs, while 13 roles have below-average competition (under 40 applicants) with 2,030 combined openings. The competition gap in Seattle is stark: Data Engineer averages 96 applicants while Store Manager sees just 27—a 3.6× difference.
Amazon leads with 710 jobs (4.6% of market) | Atlassian hardest at 120 applicants | Providence easiest at 25
Amazon dominates Seattle's job market with 710 open positions—4.6% of all jobs in the metro area—at 58 applicants per role. Amazon Web Services (AWS) follows with 621 positions at 42 applicants each. The top 10 employers alone account for 3,525 jobs—23% of Seattle's market.
Competition varies dramatically by employer. Atlassian is the hardest place to get hired in Seattle with 120 applicants per job, while Providence offers better odds at just 25 applicants. Of 43 major employers analyzed, 13 have high competition (70+ applicants) and 17 have below-average competition (under 40 applicants).
Browse 8 industries hiring across the Seattle metro area
Data compiled by ResumeTarget.com from 15,493 LinkedIn job postings in the Seattle metro area. Updated Dec 2, 2025.
Amazon, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and 8 other employers with 4,973 open positions
The Technology sector in Seattle currently has 4,973 open positions across 10 employers in Seattle. With an average of 63 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Seattle's overall market average of 48.6.
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Fred Hutch, and 8 other employers with 1,926 open positions
The Healthcare sector in Seattle currently has 1,926 open positions across 10 employers in Seattle. With an average of 34 applicants per job, this industry is less competitive compared to Seattle's overall market average of 48.6.
Blue Origin, Boeing, and 8 other employers with 1,017 open positions
The Manufacturing sector in Seattle currently has 1,017 open positions across 10 employers in Seattle. With an average of 45 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Seattle's overall market average of 48.6.
KPMG US, Affirm, and 8 other employers with 639 open positions
The Banking & Finance sector in Seattle currently has 639 open positions across 10 employers in Seattle. With an average of 58 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Seattle's overall market average of 48.6.
Deloitte, PwC, and 4 other employers with 634 open positions
The Accounting sector in Seattle currently has 634 open positions across 6 employers in Seattle. With an average of 29 applicants per job, this industry is less competitive compared to Seattle's overall market average of 48.6.
HDR, Accura Engineering and Consulting Services, Inc., and 8 other employers with 585 open positions
The Construction sector in Seattle currently has 585 open positions across 10 employers in Seattle. With an average of 36 applicants per job, this industry is less competitive compared to Seattle's overall market average of 48.6.
EY, WSP in the U.S., and 8 other employers with 567 open positions
The Consulting sector in Seattle currently has 567 open positions across 10 employers in Seattle. With an average of 36 applicants per job, this industry is less competitive compared to Seattle's overall market average of 48.6.
Costco Wholesale, Nordstrom, and 8 other employers with 556 open positions
The Retail sector in Seattle currently has 556 open positions across 10 employers in Seattle. With an average of 58 applicants per job, this industry is moderately competitive compared to Seattle's overall market average of 48.6.
Engineering and Information Technology leads with 2,495 jobs (16% of market) at 62 applicants | Health Care Provider easiest to break into at 26 applicants
Engineering and Information Technology dominates Seattle's job market with 2,495 open positions—16% of all jobs—at 62 applicants per role. Health Care Provider follows with 1,631 positions at 26 applicants each. The top 3 functions account for 5,515 jobs—36% of Seattle's entire job market.
Competition varies significantly by function. Product Management and Marketing is the most competitive category in Seattle with 83 applicants per job, while Health Care Provider offers the best odds at just 26 applicants—a 57-applicant difference. Of 27 functions analyzed, 1 are highly competitive (70+ applicants) and 9 have below-average competition (under 40 applicants).
How does Seattle's job competition compare to West Coast Tech Hubs rivals?
Head-to-head job market comparison
Seattle has 8% more competition overall than Austin. Austin has easier competition for key roles.
See full Austin job market data →Ranked by competition level (lower = easier)
Seattle ranks #4 of 5 for easiest job market in West Coast Tech Hubs.
Competition changes from other cities
Competition data based on 15,493 active job postings in Seattle.
Seattle averages 48.6 applicants per job across 15,493 open positions. Data Engineer is hardest at 96 applicants; Store Manager is easiest at 27.
Data Engineer (96 applicants per job), Product Designer (96), and Data Scientist (88). These roles see 3.6× more competition than healthcare positions.
Store Manager (27 applicants per job, 62 openings), Tax Accountant (27), and Assistant Manager (26).
Amazon leads with 710 jobs, followed by Amazon Web Services (AWS) (621) and Oracle (450). 2,541 companies are actively hiring.
15,493 open positions across 2,541 employers. Data from LinkedIn, updated Dec 2, 2025.
Technology (4,973 jobs), Healthcare (1,926), and Manufacturing (1,017).
ResumeTarget.com compiled and analyzed 15,493 full-time job postings from LinkedIn across the Seattle-metro area to calculate competition levels by job title, industry, employer, and job function.
Competition is measured by the average number of applicants per job posting. Roles with 70+ applicants are classified as highly competitive, 40-69 as moderately competitive, and under 40 as less competitive.
With 48.6 applicants per job, you need a resume that immediately proves you're the top candidate. Our writers conduct 1-on-1 interviews to uncover your unique achievements and create ATS-optimized resumes that get noticed.
