WA: Washington leads states for economy, innovation
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Washington leads states for economy, innovation – Washington State Department of Commerce Divisions Divisions Economic Development Housing Division Community Services Energy Division Local Government Programs Funding Current Opportunities Contractor Portal News Media Archive About About Executive Leadership Legislative Resources Standards and Policies Jobs at Commerce Contact Languages English Español ( Spanish ) العربية ( Arabic ) 简体中文 ( Chinese (Simplified) ) 繁體中文 ( Chinese (Traditional) ) 한국어 ( Korean ) ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ( Punjabi ) Русский ( Russian ) Soomaali ( Somali ) Українська ( Ukrainian ) Tiếng Việt ( Vietnamese ) 日本語 ( Japanese ) Skip to main content .post-thumbnail --> Washington has the best state economy, according to recent study OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington is the place to go for an innovative and strong state economy, according to online personal finance platform WalletHub, which recently gave the state high marks on both lists. Washington was ranked fifth overall for most innovative in an assessment released in March. The assessment included criteria such as the share of science, technology, engineering, and math professionals, projected STEM jobs, and student scores on Advanced Placement exams. WalletHub also ranked recognized that Washington has the strongest state economy in country in a 2024 assessment , with criteria included the number of exports per capita and startup activity. The Washington State Department of Commerce and its Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness wasn’t surprised at the results. “Washington has always been a hub for innovation, from aerospace to clean energy, and I’m proud that our state is getting the credit we deserve” said Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn. “We’re doubling down on that legacy by investing in communities, empowering entrepreneurs, and building a future where opportunity is shared across every zip code.” Part of that includes efforts like the new Tariff Information and Resource Guide , which launched in early April to help the state’s business community respond to confusion around recently implemented federal tariffs. Washington is one of the most trade-dependent state in the union. Commerce also supports business owners and entrepreneurs through Keep Washington Working , which addresses statewide policy on supporting Washington’s economy and immigrants’ role in the workplace. According to WalletHub, new immigrants to Washington are the fifth-most educated of all states. “We are honored by this recognition,” said OEDC Assistant Director Grace Yoo. “Every state in the nation wants to be known for a strong, resilient economy that protects and supports our hardworking families. It takes a dedicated focus on workforce development, continuous infrastructure improvement, and reliable investments in our small businesses and thriving innovation hubs. This ranking recognized our collective commitment to making Washington a great place to live and work.” Innovators in Washington are as