Washington’s space industry has doubled its economic output again, reaching $8.1 billion annually in direct contributions, according to preliminary findings from a study commissioned by Space Northwest. The new data shows the sector’s growth accelerating, with output nearly doubling since a 2022 report that documented a four-year surge from $1.8 billion in 2018 to $4.6 billion in 2022.
The latest figures were presented at the Space Northwest Symposium in Federal Way, Washington, by Kelly Maloney, co-founder and board chair of Space Northwest. She emphasized that the state’s space sector is no longer a specialized niche but a major economic driver.
The industry now directly supports 12,300 jobs and generates $2.3 billion in labor income. Broader economic effects push total employment to 34,200 jobs and statewide output to $12.4 billion. These numbers illustrate a rapid expansion that outpaces many traditional manufacturing sectors in the region.
Washington’s space workforce is highly concentrated in three technical fields. Nearly 6,500 employees work in space vehicle and propulsion manufacturing, while over 3,000 focus on research, engineering, and computing. Another 2,000 specialize in space electronics and hardware. The sector’s average labor income of $188,000 per worker is double the statewide average, highlighting its role as a high-value industry.
Satellites built in Washington account for 68% of all active satellites in Earth orbit, with the majority produced at SpaceX’s Starlink facility in Redmond. Space Northwest backs eight of these startups through its Space Technology Accelerator for Growing Entrepreneurship (STAGE) program, offering coaching and workshops over 12 weeks.
The selected startups include Beyonders, which develops gram-scale picosatellites for cosmic discovery; Godel Space, creating AI agents for satellite payloads; and Kynthos, specializing in software for tracking high-value space assets. Others focus on lunar landing safety, spaceflight therapies, satellite signal visualization, and AI-driven scientific data reconstruction.
Startup Growth and Industry Support Programs Expand Space Economy
A study identified 24 space startups based or operating in Washington that have collectively secured over $4.3 billion in funding, with more than $3.7 billion raised since 2021. This reflects a significant increase in venture capital flowing into the state’s space sector.