Amazon confirmed Friday it now employs about 49,000 people in its hometown, Seattle. That’s down from a peak of 60,000 in 2020.
The reduction in force means Amazon has relinquished its title as Seattle’s largest employer to the University of Washington, according to a report from the Seattle Times. Meanwhile, Amazon has more than quadrupled its Bellevue headcount over the past few years. The company now employs about 15,000 people across Lake Washington.
For years Amazon has said it will focus its future growth on the east side, which has a more business-friendly reputation. The company has shifted key teams, like its worldwide operations organization, to Bellevue in recent years. City of Bellevue reports show Amazon has more than quadrupled its headcount there since 2020. Amazon now refers to the broader Puget Sound region as HQ1…