Washington’s businesses are some of the most recognizable in the world, from Boeing to Microsoft to Starbucks. In addition, timber and agricultural exports – as well as one of the busiest ports on the West Coast in Seattle – help Washington exports reach every corner of the globe. These exports generate $83 billion and help support over 930,000 good-paying Washington jobs.

• In Washington, 930,000 jobs were supported by trade, representing 20.0% of all jobs in the state.^1,2
• In 2023, 11,202 companies exported goods from Washington, of which 88% were small- and medium-sized enterprises. In 2022, 148,500 people were employed by affiliates of companies at least 50% foreign-owned.^3,4

• Washington exported $83 billion in goods and services to foreign markets in 2023. ⁵
  • Canada ($10.8 billion)
  • Ireland ($7.4 billion)
  • China ($5.5 billion)
  • Japan ($5.4 billion)
  • Mexico ($4.7 billion)
• Agricultural exports are important to Washington's economy, totaling $3.5 billion annually, according to the USDA.⁶
• Since 2014, the U.S. Export-Import Bank has financed $41 billion in exports from 147 companies in Washington.⁷

• From 2023-2024, 23,878 international students were enrolled in Washington colleges and universities, contributing $918 million to the Washington economy.¹⁰

• Since 1961, 10,084 Peace Corps volunteers from Washington have served in dozens of countries overseas.¹¹

1. https://www.uschamber.com/international/trade-agreements/trade-means-growth-for-america?state=
2. https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/Press-Release/edb/edbrel2023.pdf
3. https://www.bea.gov/sites/default/files/2024-11/imne-1124.pdf
4. https://www.uschamber.com/international/trade-agreements/trade-means-growth-for-america
5. https://www.trade.gov/data-visualization/state-trade-and-economy-factsheets
6. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/state-agricultural-trade-data
7. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/state-agricultural-trade-data/annual-state-agricultural-exports
8. https://www.exim.gov/customer-map/
9. https://www.mcc.gov/work-with-us/contracts-map
10. https://files.peacecorps.gov/documents/Home_states_of_Peace_Corps_volunteers.pdf
11. https://opendoorsdata.org/fact_sheets/state-fact-sheets/