How to Find Entry Level Jobs in Seattle

Entry level jobs in the Seattle area are still hiring, mostly in health care support, warehousing and transportation, food service, cleaning and maintenance, and retail. Many of these jobs need no degree and no past experience. The market is tighter than it was a year ago, so knowing where the openings are and applying quickly matters.

What the Seattle job market looks like right now

• The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro unemployment rate was 4.8% in August 2026 (BLS, preliminary).
• In the first quarter of 2026, King County job postings fell 8% while the number of people looking for work rose 6% (King County Office of Economic and Financial Analysis).
• Nationally, entry-level job postings fell 7.5% in the year to May 2026, while senior-level postings rose 14.7% (Indeed Hiring Lab).

Fewer postings and more people looking means each opening gets more applicants. That's not a reason to stop. It's a reason to apply to more jobs, and sooner.

Where Washington is adding jobs

Statewide, the sectors adding the most jobs were (Washington ESD, January 2026 report):

Retail lost about 4,100 jobs statewide over the same period, and manufacturing lost about 4,800. Retail still hires constantly because of turnover, especially before the holidays, but there are fewer total retail jobs than a year ago.

Entry level categories to look at

Warehouse and delivery. Pickers, packers, loaders, material handlers, delivery helpers. Often hire fast, often offer night and weekend shifts with extra pay.

Health care support (non-clinical). Front desk, patient registration, scheduling, hospital food service, environmental services (cleaning), transport. These jobs are in hospitals and clinics but don't require a medical license.

Food service. Crew member, barista, prep cook, dishwasher. High turnover means steady openings.

Cleaning and facilities. Janitor, custodian, housekeeper. Often full-time, often with early morning or overnight shifts.

Retail and grocery. Cashier, stocker, sales associate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the typical entry-level education for retail sales workers as no formal educational credential, with no work experience in a related occupation required.

Security. Unarmed security officer. Washington requires a security guard license.

What these jobs pay in the Seattle area

These are average hourly wages for whole occupation groups in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro (King, Pierce and Snohomish counties). They include experienced workers and supervisors, so starting pay is usually lower.

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

The real floor is minimum wage. For a starting job, expect pay at or above:

• Seattle: $21.30/hour in 2026, rising to $22.14 on January 1, 2027 (Seattle Office of Labor Standards).
• Washington State: $17.13/hour in 2026, rising to $17.73 on January 1, 2027 (Washington L&I).
• Several other cities, including Tukwila, Renton, SeaTac, Burien and Everett, have their own higher rates depending on employer size or industry.

Washington employers with 15 or more employees must list pay in their job postings, so you can see the range before you apply.

How to get started

1. Pick two or three categories from the list above that fit your schedule and how you like to work (on your feet, with people, at night, etc.).
2. Look for "no experience required," "will train," or "paid training" in the posting.
3. Check the pay and the location. Pay must meet the local minimum wage where the job is.
4. Apply the same day you see a posting. Many hourly employers hire fast.
5. Apply to several jobs at once. With more people looking, more applications means better odds.
6. Keep your phone on. Hourly employers often call or text to schedule interviews.