A new regional economic impact analysis shows The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), the Port of Tacoma, and the Port of Seattle continue to be primary drivers of the regional and state economy, supporting more than 265,000 jobs in 2023. Together, the organizations generated $17.7 billion in wages and benefits and nearly $55 billion in business output.
The report offers a comprehensive, regional look across the Seattle-Tacoma gateway including marine cargo, aviation, real estate, commercial fishing, and the cruise industry. This is the first time that all lines of business have been evaluated together.
It includes an analysis of direct jobs — such as longshore workers, truck drivers, and airport employees — as well as capturing a comprehensive snapshot of both indirect jobs and induced economic benefit. Together, these represent the collective impact of port activities, demonstrating the amplifying economic effect the three organizations have across the region.
The Northwest Seaport Alliance
The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) manages marine cargo in both harbors and in 2023 handled nearly 3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containerized cargo, making it one of the largest gateways in the United States. Further, the NWSA is a key gateway for auto imports and breakbulk cargo. In 2023, NWSA operations supported an estimated 52,100 jobs, including 18,000 direct jobs, $4.4 billion in total wages and benefits, and nearly $14 billion in total business output throughout the state of Washington.
Port of Tacoma
The report found the combined impact of trade through the NWSA’s South Harbor and additional Port of Tacoma lines of business in 2023 supported more than 41,000 jobs, $3.4 billion in wages and benefits, and a business output of almost $10.8 billion.
“We often talk about Washington being the most trade dependent state in the nation. What we don’t always talk about is how the trade that comes through our gateway is the catalyst for a robust supply chain ecosystem and quality living wage jobs across the state. We aren’t just dependent on trade, we excel at it,” said Northwest Seaport Alliance Co-Chair and Port of Tacoma Commission President John McCarthy. “That trade excellence also serves the rest of the country. We are the ports of Idaho farmers and Midwest consumers; we serve a role of national importance and impact.”
Port of Seattle
The Port of Seattle’s business lines supported almost $39 billion in total business output, over 205,000 total jobs, and $396 million in total fiscal impact to the state.
The largest line of Port of Seattle business in the region is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), which supported nearly 175,000 jobs in 2023, $10.5 billion in wages and benefits, and $33.3 billion in business output.
The Port of Seattle’s growing cruise business is expected to support 5,120 jobs in 2025, generating nearly $327 million in wages and benefits and over $1.2 billion in business output.
The report also found the Port of Seattle’s commercial fishing industry supported 8,790 jobs in 2023 and generated $484 million in wages and benefits and over $1 billion in business output. The Port of Seattle’s other lines of business, including its real estate, maritime moorage, and recreational boating portfolios supported an additional 16,035 jobs in 2023, nearly $1.3 billion in wages and benefits, and just under $3.3 billion in business output.
“At the Port of Seattle, we’re building the port of the future ‒ one that drives economic opportunity, safeguards family-wage jobs, and advances environmental stewardship,” said Northwest Seaport Alliance Co-Chair and Port of Seattle Commission President Toshiko Hasegawa. “This report reaffirms that our marine cargo and aviation gateways are vital to the economic health of our region. And just as important, it reflects the strength of our decade-long collaboration between the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma through The Northwest Seaport Alliance ‒ proving what’s possible when we come together with a shared vision for sustainable, inclusive growth.”
About the report
The report, prepared by Community Attributes, Inc., measures jobs, income, and business output directly supported by port activities, as well as associated nearby services tied to port operations (such as warehousing and off-site transloading) and the broader economic and fiscal impacts of these activities to the state economy.
About the Port of Tacoma
Among the largest container ports in the U.S., the Port of Tacoma is a naturally deepwater port located on Commencement Bay in south Puget Sound. A diverse array of maritime and industrial-related businesses and facilities are located across 2,500 acres of port-owned property, including several major container terminals, managed by The Northwest Seaport Alliance. An important economic engine in Pierce County, real estate and marine cargo operations at the Port of Tacoma support more than 41,000 jobs and $3 billion in labor income. Learn more on the Port of Tacoma website.
About The Northwest Seaport Alliance
The Northwest Seaport Alliance is a strategic partnership between the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma, formed in 2015 to enhance the competitiveness of the Seattle-Tacoma gateway in the global shipping market. As one of the largest port systems in North America, the NWSA plays a vital role in driving regional economic growth by handling a significant volume of containerized, breakbulk, and Ro-Ro cargo annually, connecting businesses to global markets and supporting a robust supply chain. Learn more on The Northwest Seaport Alliance website.
About the Port of Seattle
Founded in 1911 by a vote of the people as a special purpose government, the Port of Seattle’s mission is to promote economic opportunities and quality of life in the region by advancing trade, travel, commerce, and job creation in an equitable, accountable, and environmentally responsible manner.
The Port owns and operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Fishermen’s Terminal — home of the North Pacific fishing fleet — and public marinas. The Port also owns two cruise ship terminals, a grain terminal, real estate assets, and marine cargo terminals through its partnership in The Northwest Seaport Alliance.
Port of Seattle operations support over 205,000 jobs and more than $12 billion in wages throughout the region. Over the next 12 years, the Port’s Century Agenda seeks to create an additional 100,000 jobs through economic growth while becoming the nation’s leading green and energy-efficient port.
Contact
Katherine Fountain | Senior Media Officer
(206) 787-3071 | [email protected]
