Direct Selling in Washington

A drop of 15,400 jobs in September 2026 led Washington's latest labor report. The state had 8,001,020 residents in the Census Vintage 2025 estimates. This page covers that job report, the state's small business base, its two large public university systems and the one Washington head office in Plondo's directory.

Fewer jobs in September, fewer people out of work

Washington lost an estimated 15,400 jobs in September 2026, seasonally adjusted. The figure comes from the state Employment Security Department in its release of October 14, 2026. Over the full year from September 2025 to September 2026, the job count still rose by 9,200.

The jobless numbers moved the other way. The unemployment rate fell to 4.8%. The number of unemployed people statewide was 193,018. Employment Security paid unemployment benefits to 57,685 people that month.

The release named government and education and health services as two of Washington's largest employment sectors. A team leader recruiting in Washington this fall is talking to people in a labor market that shed jobs in one month but grew over the year. Many of the people a leader meets will work in public offices, schools or clinics.

Nearly every Washington firm is a small one

The SBA Office of Advocacy counted 695,695 small businesses in Washington in its 2025 profile. That is 99.5 percent of all businesses in the state. Those firms employ 1.5 million people, or 48.7 percent of Washington employees.

New businesses keep arriving. Between March 2023 and March 2024, 24,701 Washington establishments opened. That count is the SBA's, and it covers all kinds of businesses, not only direct sellers.

For a Washington rep, these numbers describe the neighborhood. An independent seller who sets up shop here joins a field that is already almost entirely small. Customers, suppliers and fellow members of a local chamber are likely to run small firms of their own.

63,727 students at UW, 25,477 at WSU

Washington has two large public university systems. The University of Washington enrolled 63,727 students across its three campuses in fall 2025, according to KING 5. Washington State University reported a systemwide student headcount of 25,477 for fall 2025.

These campuses tie back to the job report. Education and health services is one of the two sectors the state labor agency calls among its largest. Universities are part of that picture, both as employers and as places where students live and shop.

A company that sells in Washington should know where its reps and customers study and work. Two university systems of this size shape the towns around their campuses through the school year.

A cloud brokerage in Bellingham

Plondo's directory lists one company headquartered in Washington: eXp Realty, based in Bellingham. Its category is real estate brokerage services, cloud based, covering residential and commercial real estate. The list below is kept current by the site and will grow as more Washington head offices are added.

eXp RealtyBellingham · Real estate brokerage services

Washington figures, September 2026 and earlier

State population, Census Vintage 2025: 8,001,020^[1]
Small businesses in Washington (2025 profile): 695,695^[2]
Small business employees in Washington (2025 profile): 1.5 million^[2]
Small businesses as share of Washington businesses: 99.5 percent^[2]
Small business share of Washington employees: 48.7 percent^[2]
Washington establishments opened, March 2023 to March 2024: 24,701^[2]
Washington unemployment rate, September 2026: 4.8%^[3]
Unemployed people in Washington, September 2026: 193,018^[3]
Change in Washington jobs, September 2026 (seasonally adjusted): decrease of 15,400^[3]
Change in Washington jobs, September 2025 to September 2026: increase of 9,200^[3]
People paid unemployment benefits in Washington, September 2026: 57,685^[3]
Two of Washington's largest employment sectors: Government; education and health services^[3]
University of Washington total enrollment, fall 2025 (three campuses): 63,727^[4]
Washington State University systemwide student headcount, fall 2025: 25,477^[5]

From Bellingham to the rest of the state

Bellingham is home to the one Washington head office in Plondo's directory. Each city page below looks at one Washington market on its own terms, with its own figures and any companies based there.

Seattle

Washington team leaders: a quiet look at other companies

If you lead a team in Washington and your company no longer fits, Plondo can introduce you to other direct selling companies in private. The service is free and confidential, and Plondo charges no placement fee. In a state where 99.5 percent of businesses are small, many leaders run their teams like a small firm. We look for a company whose products and plan suit how you already work.

Apply confidentially

Tools for a small business state

A Washington company recruits in a state of 695,695 small businesses, so some reps may already run one. The commission engine has to pay on time and show each line clearly. The back office should hold tax and business records a rep can find fast. Replicated sites need a clean local storefront. AI employees can answer rep and customer questions at any hour.

See Plondo direct selling software

Frequently asked questions

How many people live in Washington?

Washington had 8,001,020 residents in the Census Vintage 2025 population estimates. That is the figure this page uses throughout.

Which direct selling companies are headquartered in Washington?

Plondo's directory lists one: eXp Realty, based in Bellingham. Its category is cloud based real estate brokerage services for residential and commercial real estate.

What was Washington's unemployment rate in September 2026?

The rate was 4.8%, according to the Employment Security Department release of October 14, 2026. The number of unemployed people statewide was 193,018.

Did Washington gain or lose jobs in September 2026?

The state lost an estimated 15,400 jobs that month, seasonally adjusted. Over the year from September 2025 to September 2026, jobs rose by 9,200.

How large is Washington's small business sector?

The SBA Office of Advocacy counted 695,695 small businesses in its 2025 profile. They make up 99.5 percent of Washington businesses and employ 48.7 percent of its workers.

Does Plondo charge Washington team leaders for placement?

No. Plondo's placement service is free and confidential, and it charges no placement fee.

Sources

U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 population estimates Open source
SBA Office of Advocacy, 2025 Small Business Profile: Washington Open source
Washington Employment Security Department, news release of October 14, 2026 Open source
KING 5, UW enrollment grows across all 3 campuses Open source
Washington State University, WSU Data and Information Open source