Workforce Overviews
Workforce data provides the foundation for data-driven decision-making across all these areas, helping leaders design and implement effective strategies. The products in this section provide roll-ups of data for high level overviews.
In This Section
Workforce Profile
General Government (Executive, Legislative, Judicial Branches)
| Topic | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | FY25 | FY26 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Government Headcount | 67,385 | 71,989 | 76,617 | 77,998 | 76,865 | Perm and Nonperm |
| Classified | 88.4% | 88.4% | 88.7% | 88.6% | 88.7% | Perm and Nonperm |
| At Will | 6.6% | 6.7% | 6.5% | 6.5% | 6.0% | Perm and Nonperm |
| Covered by Collective Bargaining (or similar provision) | 75.7% | 75.5% | 75.8% | 76.3% | 77.1% | Perm and Nonperm |
Executive Branch Only
| Topic | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | FY25 | FY26 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Branch Headcount | 66,085 | 70,556 | 75,108 | 76,451 | 75,311 | Perm and Nonperm |
| Median Age | 46 yrs | 45 yrs | 45 yrs | 45 yrs | *** | Perm and Nonperm |
| Female | 50.6% | 49.2% | 48.4% | 47.8% | 47.7% | See Workforce Diversity for more information. Perm and Nonperm |
| X/Non-Binary | 0.3% | 0.5% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.6% | See Workforce Diversity for more information. Perm and Nonperm |
| LGBTQ+ | 2.9% | 3.9% | 4.7% | 4.9% | 4.7% | See Workforce Diversity for more information. Perm and Nonperm |
| Persons of Color | 22.1% | 22.8% | 23.5% | 24.0% | 24.0% | Perm and Nonperm |
| Persons with Disabilities | 4.3% | 4.7% | 5.3% | 5.6% | 5.6% | Perm and Nonperm |
| All Veterans | 6.4% | 5.9% | 5.5% | 5.4% | 5.4% | Perm and Nonperm |
| Vietnam Era Veterans | 0.5% | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.2% | Perm and Nonperm |
| Disabled Veterans | 1.0% | 0.9% | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.8% | Perm and Nonperm |
| Military Spouse | 0.9% | 1.1% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1.1% | See Workforce Diversity for more information. Perm and Nonperm |
| Permanent Employees | 90.7% | 91.0% | 91.4% | 92.4% | 93.3% | Perm or intent to become perm includes seasonal |
| Median Length of Service | 7 yrs | 7 yrs | 6 yrs | 6 yrs | *** | Perm or intent to become perm includes seasonal |
| Full-time | 96.2% | 96.3% | 96.3% | 96.5% | 96.7% | Perm and Nonperm Full time only |
| Turnover Rate (Average) | 15.7% | 10.5% | 9.7% | 9.3% | *** | Perm or intent to become perm; leaving state service |
| Movement to another agency | 2.7% | 2.4% | 1.8% | 1.3% | *** | Perm or intent to become perm; does not include movement within an agency |
| 7/1/22 | 7/1/23 | 7/1/24 | 7/1/25 | 7/1/26 | ||
| Median Annual Base Salary | $72,372 | $77,460 | $80,569 | $86,244 | *** | Perm and Nonperm Full time only |
Notes:
Excludes higher education institutions.
***Updated annually at fiscal year end
Last Updated: 10/13/2025
Time Period: 07/01/2021 – 09/30/2025
Update Frequency: quarterly (end of fiscal quarter)
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Representation by Union
- This information is specific to represented state employees covered by collective bargaining agreements that are negotiated by State HR Labor Relations & Comp Policy.
- The numbers below do not represent a specific union’s total membership.
- General Government (excluding higher ed) total: 76,865
- Approximately 76.9% of the general government workforce is represented.
General Government
| Abbreviation | Title on master agreement | Headcount |
|---|---|---|
| Coalition | COALITION (AIAJ, AWP, FOP, IAFF, IBEW, MM&P, Teamsters 174, Teamsters 760, UA, UPW, WAFHP, WSNA, WSPTA, WSPSTA) | 979 |
| PROTEC17 | PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL EMPLOYEES LOCAL 17 | 2,105 |
| SEIU 1199 | SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION HEALTHCARE 1199NW | 1,269 |
| Teamsters 117 | TEAMSTERS LOCAL UNION 117 VOLUME 1 – DOC ONLY | 6,614 |
| WAFWP | WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE PROFESSIONALS | 1,356 |
| WFSE – GG | WASHINGTON FEDERATION OF STATE EMPLOYEES | 40,252 |
| WFSE – ALJ | WASHINGTON FEDERATION OF STATE EMPLOYEES – ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES | 112 |
| AWAAG – WFSE | THE ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON ASSISTANT ATTORNEYS GENERAL, WASHINGTON FEDERATION OF STATE EMPLOYEES, AFSCME COUNCIL 28 | 711 |
| WPEA – GG | WASHINGTON PUBLIC EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION | 2,662 |
Law Enforcement
| Abbreviation | Title on master agreement | Headcount |
|---|---|---|
| FWOG | FISH AND WILDLIFE OFFICERS’ GUILD | 122 |
| Teamsters 760 (DFW Sergeants) | TEAMSTERS LOCAL 760 | 27 |
| WSPLCA | WASHINGTON STATE PATROL LIEUTENANTS AND CAPTAINS ASSOCIATION (WSPLCA) | 60 |
| WSPTA | WASHINGTON STATE PATROL TROOPERS ASSOCIATION (WSPTA) | 913 |
Washington State Ferries
| Abbreviation | Title on master agreement | Headcount |
|---|---|---|
| FASPAA | FERRY AGENTS, SUPERVISORS AND PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR’S ASSOCIATION (FASPAA) | 41 |
| IBU | INLANDBOATMEN’S UNION OF THE PACIFIC | 971 |
| MEBA – Licensed | DISTRICT NO. 1 – PCD, MARINE ENGINEERS’ BENEFICIAL ASSOCIATION (AFL-CIO) LICENSED ENGINEER OFFICERS | 231 |
| MEBA – Port Engr | DISTRICT NO. 1 – PCD, MARINE ENGINEERS’ BENEFICIAL ASSOCIATION (AFL-CIO) PORT ENGINEERS | 12 |
| MEBA – Unlicensed | DISTRICT NO. 1 – PCD, MARINE ENGINEERS’ BENEFICIAL ASSOCIATION (AFL-CIO) UNLICENSED ENGINE ROOM EMPLOYEES | 226 |
| MM&P – Masters | INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF MASTERS, MATES & PILOTS MASTERS/PILOTS | 83 |
| MM&P – Watch Center Sups | INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF MASTERS, MATES & PILOTS WATCH CENTER SUPERVISORS | 15 |
| MM&P – Mates | INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF MASTERS, MATES & PILOTS MATES/PILOTS | 129 |
| Metal Trades | PUGET SOUND METAL TRADES COUNCIL (IBEW LOCAL 46, IAMAW LOCAL 79, SMWIA LOCAL 66, IBT LOCALS 117 AND 174, IBBISBFH LOCAL 104, UAJAPPI LOCAL 32) | 91 |
| OPEIU | OFFICE AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION LOCAL NO. 8 (AFL-CIO) | 64 |
| Carpenters | PACIFIC NW REGIONAL COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS | 26 |
| SEIU 6 | SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION LOCAL NO. 6 | 6 |
Higher Education
| Abbreviation | Title on master agreement | Headcount |
|---|
| WFSE HE CCC | WASHINGTON FEDERATION OF STATE EMPLOYEES HIGHER EDUCATION COMMUNITY COLLEGE COALITION (WFSE HE CCC) | 3,163 |
| WPEA HE | WASHINGTON PUBLIC EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION HIGHER EDUCATION | 2,401 |
Last Updated: 10/13/2025
Time Period: As of 09/30/2025
Update Frequency: Quarterly (end of fiscal quarter)
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