Amazon's Washington State Layoffs Detailed: Pierce County Impact Emerges as Tech Giant Cuts 2,198 Jobs
SEATTLE — Amazon has detailed the local impact of its ongoing corporate restructuring in Washington state, with newly filed Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) documents showing 2,198 positions slated for elimination across the state by late April. The filings provide the first city-by-city breakdown, including 14 roles across two Pierce County facilities in Sumner and DuPont.
The layoffs, part of a broader 16,000-job global reduction announced last week, follow a wave of tech sector consolidation. Amazon stated the cuts aim to "strengthen our organization by reducing layers, increasing ownership, and removing bureaucracy." According to an internal memo, most affected employees will have 90 days to seek another role within the company before receiving severance, outplacement support, and extended benefits.
Beyond Pierce County, the reductions are concentrated in Amazon's Puget Sound corporate hubs—Seattle, Bellevue, and Redmond—with additional cuts in Kent, Pasco, Arlington, and Spokane. The notice also includes 116 fully remote employees residing in Washington.
This round follows earlier workforce reductions in the state last fall and coincides with Amazon's shutdown of its Go and Fresh physical stores, which closed two East Pierce County locations affecting 30 workers.
Amazon is not alone in trimming its Washington workforce. T-Mobile filed a WARN notice on Monday for 393 layoffs across multiple locations, while International Paper Company announced the April closure of its Union Gap box plant, putting 102 jobs at risk unless workers transfer within the company.
The consecutive filings highlight ongoing economic recalibration in the region, even as Washington's unemployment rate remains below the national average. Analysts note that while tech layoffs draw headlines, the state's diversified economy—spanning logistics, manufacturing, and telecom—is experiencing parallel adjustments.
Voices from the Community
Marcus Chen, Tech Industry Analyst in Bellevue: "These numbers, while significant, reflect strategic pruning rather than distress. Amazon is reallocating resources toward AI and cloud infrastructure. The 90-day internal transfer window is a softer landing than many tech firms offer."
Rebecca Torres, Former Amazon Go Employee in Sumner: "It’s a brutal one-two punch—first our store closes, now corporate jobs are cut. Many of us relocated here for these roles. The ‘severance package’ doesn’t cover the disruption to our families or the local businesses that relied on our foot traffic."
David Park, Small Business Owner in Tacoma: "When large employers shed jobs, it ripples through our community. Fewer people dine out, shop locally, or use services. We need transparency from these corporations about long-term commitments to the regions they operate in."
Dr. Lena Mitchell, Economist at University of Washington: "The data show a rebalancing, not a collapse. Washington continues to add jobs in healthcare, construction, and renewable energy. However, the concentration of tech layoffs warrants monitoring for housing market and tax revenue effects."