Greater Seattle’s Aerospace Industry 2024 Report

Greater Seattle is home to the largest aerospace supply chain in the United States and the Greater Seattle space economy has more than doubled in four years. With companies such as Boeing, Alaska Airlines, Blue Origin, SpaceX, ATS, Crane Aerospace and Electronics, Korry, Astronics, General Dynamics, Safran and more, the region is a hotspot for the aerospace industry.

There are over nine hundred aerospace companies in the region, employing around 114,000, and creating a total 2024 GRP of $37.1 billion. Aerospace exports accounted for $64 billion in the last 5 years.

There are approximately 114,000 aerospace employees in Greater Seattle, whereas the national average for an area of this size is closer to 35,000. While there was a 5% shrinkage in the region’s aerospace industry from 2019-2024, 5% growth is projected from 2024-2029.

The top companies with aerospace related job openings in the last 12 months are Blue Origin, Boeing, SpaceX, Alaska Airlines, and Safran, respectively.

Occupation	Employment Concentration
Aircraft Manufacturing	18.81
Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing	8.17
Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing	6.32

Employment concentration compares the concentration of a particular occupation in a region compared to the national average. A number greater than one indicates a higher-than-average concentration.

The employment concentration of occupations in the aerospace industry is remarkably high in our region. Aircraft manufacturing has an employment concentration of 18.81, guided missile and space vehicle propulsion unit and propulsion unit parts manufacturing is 8.17, and other aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment manufacturing is 6.32. The metropolitan area of Greater Seattle has the second highest employment level in Aerospace Engineers in the nation, just behind the Greater Los Angeles area, and followed by Huntsville, Alabama, and the Greater Dallas area, respectively, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023).

Aerospace exports decreased between 2015 and 2020, from $40.2 billion to $7.8 billion, but have been generally on the gradual incline since. Despite fluctuations in the early 2020’s and generally decreasing exports over the last decade, there is a consistent upward trend in the Gross Regional Product (GRP) for the aerospace industry in the Greater Seattle region from 2007 to 2024, with the GRP increasing from approximately $20.4 billion in 2007 to an estimated $37.1 billion in 2024. This growth underscores the region’s robust and expanding aerospace sector, highlighting its critical role in the regional economy.

90+ space companies in the region

50% of all operational satellites in earth orbit are made in Greater Seattle

78% of all current and future FCC approved satellites will be made in Washington

The Greater Seattle region is also a hub for space innovation, boasting over ninety space companies and counting. This area is responsible for producing 50% of all operational satellites currently in Earth’s orbit.

An astounding 78% of all current and future FCC-approved satellites will be manufactured in Washington state. This highlights the region’s significant contribution to the global space industry moving into the future.

Source: Lightcast, 2025.

The report was researched and written by Dr. Victoria DePalma, Greater Seattle Partners Research Director.

Other 2024 Greater Seattle Reports:

Greater Seattle Economic Report 2024

Greater Seattle 2024 Trade

Greater Seattle 2024 Foreign Direct Investment

Greater Seattle Startups 2024 Report

Greater Seattle’s Life Science Industry 2024 Report

Greater Seattle’s Tech Industry 2024 Report