Health Services
As a healthcare hub, greater Seattle is a national leader in cutting-edge health services, biotechnology research and development, and worker education.
We are home to nationally recognized teaching hospitals and prestigious research institutions including UW Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle Children's Hospital, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Institute for Systems Biology, Institute for Protein Design, and the Gates Foundation for global health.
The industry accounts for over 90,000 jobs at the metropolitan area level with a projected growth of 13% between 2020 and 2030.
Why do business in Seattle?
Seattle boasts a robust ecosystem for innovation and commercialization. With a strong growth projection in research and development, startups, job opportunities, and financial resources, Seattle has the ability to build capacity across the entire health services and life sciences ecosystem.
Additionally, there are a number of benefits and incentives for companies operating in Washington State, including:
- Income Tax: Washington State does not have a corporate income tax, allowing companies to save $35,000 to $3 million annually, depending on profit margin.
- Business & Occupational Tax: Washington uses a business and occupation (B&O) tax in place of an income tax. This means that regardless of its profitability, the company will be taxed only on its gross receipts. The state’s standard manufacturing rate is 0.484%.
- Infrastructure: with 9.34 million square feet of lab and R&D space, advanced laboratories, and research centers, greater Seattle provides the infrastructure necessary for scientific discovery and commercial success.
Read more about the benefits here.
Driving health services growth
Significant local investments in technology are driving growth and innovation in healthcare delivery models and systems. In 2021, over 180 investors put $5 billion into 112 private, early-stage Life Sciences deals in Washington state. Learn more about what makes greater Seattle a top place for innovation in health care and life sciences here.
There are also grant programs available to support continued advancement in health equity, research, and treatment:
Our Work
The Office of Economic Development has distributed over $2 million in funding to health services programs in the region for capacity building and workforce diversification through local training organizations and education.
We prioritize initiatives that would better serve the region, including increasing BIPOC provider representation within the health services industry. This includes new or non-traditional pathways to leadership, retaining BIPOC healthcare workers in the field, and reducing barriers to opportunities.
Health Services Partners and Resources
$4.2B in annual wages
The Health Services industry employs over 90,000 people. One in five Seattle jobs is tied to healthcare.
$58M for cancer research
The Andy Hill Care Fund alone has distributed millions to support cancer research at Washington-based companies and institutes.
9.3M square feet
Greater Seattle currently provides 9.34 million square feet of lab and R&D space, advanced laboratories, and research centers.