Seattle Tech Sector Hit by January Layoffs

Amazon, Meta, Expedia, and Zillow cut hundreds of jobs amid broader regional uncertainty

Jan. 30, 2026 at 8:55am

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The Seattle tech sector has faced a wave of layoffs in January, with Amazon, Meta, Expedia, and Zillow all announcing hundreds of job cuts. The latest round of layoffs has deepened uncertainty in a region where tech employment is a major economic driver, raising questions about how long the sector's pullback will last.

Why it matters

The tech layoffs in Seattle could have far-reaching impacts, affecting housing demand, small business growth, and other aspects of the local economy that rely heavily on the tech industry. The scale of the job cuts raises concerns about the long-term health of the Seattle tech sector.

The details

Amazon, the city's largest private employer, announced it was cutting 16,000 jobs company-wide. Expedia Group confirmed it will permanently lay off 162 employees, while Meta Platforms filed a notice for the layoff of 331 workers in King County. Separately, Amazon filed notice of 401 layoffs in Washington state tied to the closures of Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores, including 11 in the Seattle area. About 200 people at Zillow were also let go based on performance reviews.

  • On January 25, 2026, Amazon announced it was cutting 16,000 jobs company-wide.
  • On January 25, 2026, Expedia Group confirmed it will permanently lay off 162 employees beginning April 1.
  • On January 18, 2026, Meta Platforms filed a notice for the layoff of 331 workers in King County, scheduled to take effect March 20.
  • In January 2026, Amazon filed notice of 401 layoffs in Washington state tied to the closures of Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores, including 11 in the Seattle area.
  • In January 2026, about 200 people at Zillow were let go based on performance reviews.

The players

Amazon

The largest private employer in Seattle, Amazon announced it was cutting 16,000 jobs company-wide.

Meta Platforms

The tech company filed a notice for the layoff of 331 workers in King County, scheduled to take effect March 20.

Expedia Group

The Seattle-based company confirmed it will permanently lay off 162 employees beginning April 1.

Zillow

The real estate company let go about 200 people based on performance reviews.

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The takeaway

The wave of tech layoffs in Seattle has raised concerns about the long-term health of the region's tech sector, which has been a major driver of the local economy. The scale of the job cuts could have far-reaching impacts on housing, small businesses, and other aspects of the community that rely heavily on the tech industry.