NAICS 72

Accommodation and Food Services in Washington: 2026 Market Risk Report

Entry risk 42.9 (Elevated), ranked #33 of 51 states. 18,340 establishments, 283,522 jobs.

Entry Risk Assessment

Entry Risk Score 42.9
Low 0-30
Moderate 30-42
Elevated 42-55
High 55+
Elevated

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national accommodation and food services average.

The accommodation and food services sector in Washington is tracking close to the U.S. baseline, with no extreme signals in volatility, saturation, or wage pressure. Entry conditions are within the national median range.

5-Year Firm Retention
49.0%
Percentile within industry
Rank #27 of 51 states
Growth Momentum
↑ 50.9
Scale of 0-100
Rank #18 of 51 states
Establishment Density
20.3
vs. national average
Rank #26 of 51 states
Market Volatility
39.0
Lower is more stable
Wage Pressure Index
52.0
Labor cost pressure

18,340 Establishments in Washington

18,340
Establishments
+3.6% YoY
283,522
Total Employment
+0.1% YoY
$33,979
Average Annual Wage
+4.6% YoY

Washington vs National Accommodation and Food Services Average

How Washington's accommodation and food services market compares to the national average across all 51 states.

Metric WA National Difference
Entry Risk Score 42.9 40.0 +2.9
5-Year Retention 49.0% 51.0% -2.0
Growth Momentum 50.9 41.1 +9.8
Market Volatility 39.0 23.9 +15.1
Establishment Density 20.3 27.0 -6.7
Wage Pressure 52.0 33.4 +18.6

Green = favorable vs national average. Red = less favorable. Metrics are relative within accommodation and food services only.

Washington Ranks #33 of 51 for Accommodation and Food Services

Washington ranks #33 out of 51 states for accommodation and food services market entry conditions.

Accommodation and Food Services Entry Risk by State

Rank State Risk Score Classification
#1 Delaware 19.8 low
#2 North Carolina 23.4 low
#3 New Mexico 24.5 low
#4 Idaho 26.2 low
#5 Wisconsin 28.2 low
#33 Washington You 42.9 elevated
Entry Risk by State Alaska — 31.6 · #14 Alabama — 44.1 · #37 Arkansas — 36.9 · #26 Arizona — 46.9 · #40 California — 57.2 · #47 Colorado — 46.9 · #41 Connecticut — 37.3 · #27 District of Columbia — 81.4 · #51 Delaware — 19.8 · #1 Florida — 53.6 · #44 Georgia — 43.6 · #35 Hawaii — 66.1 · #50 Iowa — 39.0 · #29 Idaho — 26.2 · #4 Illinois — 39.5 · #30 Indiana — 37.9 · #28 Kansas — 34.2 · #18 Kentucky — 36.9 · #25 Louisiana — 43.8 · #36 Massachusetts — 28.4 · #7 Maryland — 31.7 · #15 Maine — 55.0 · #46 Michigan — 29.2 · #10 Minnesota — 34.9 · #19 Missouri — 47.2 · #42 Mississippi — 35.6 · #21 Montana — 46.1 · #39 North Carolina — 23.4 · #2 North Dakota — 29.5 · #12 Nebraska — 41.5 · #31 New Hampshire — 28.8 · #8 New Jersey — 43.3 · #34 New Mexico — 24.5 · #3 Nevada — 64.0 · #49 New York — 58.6 · #48 Ohio — 29.3 · #11 Oklahoma — 35.0 · #20 Oregon — 42.8 · #32 Pennsylvania — 36.8 · #24 Rhode Island — 28.3 · #6 South Carolina — 29.2 · #9 South Dakota — 36.7 · #23 Tennessee — 29.5 · #13 Texas — 46.0 · #38 Utah — 36.5 · #22 Virginia — 33.6 · #16 Vermont — 51.0 · #43 Washington — 42.9 · #33 Wisconsin — 28.2 · #5 West Virginia — 33.7 · #17 Wyoming — 55.0 · #45
Low Moderate Elevated High

Tap a state to view details

About Entry Risk Score: A weighted composite of firm retention, growth momentum, market volatility, establishment density, and wage pressure. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: February 2026. Next refresh expected: Q2 2026 (BLS QCEW update).

Compare to Another State

How does Washington stack up against other states for accommodation and food services?

Select a state above to see the comparison

Accommodation and Food Services in Neighboring States

How Washington's accommodation and food services market compares to bordering states.

Idaho 26.2 #4/51 Oregon 42.8 #32/51

Other Industries in Washington

Construction → Healthcare and Social Assistance → Retail Trade → Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services → Finance and Insurance → Real Estate and Rental and Leasing → Administrative and Support Services → Information → Other Services →