Facts we can source about this employer, with the year of every figure.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 08/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Costco Wholesale ranks #14 among the 200 largest US-headquartered employers, with about 341,000 employees worldwide (year not stated). It is headquartered in Washington.
| Fact ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Rank among the 200 | 14 |
| Headquarters | Washington |
| Industry | Retail |
| Employees (global) | 341,000 (year not stated) |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Website | https://www.costco.com/ |
Headcount is global, includes workers outside the US and may differ from the company's latest annual report.
Costco Wholesale ranks 14 of the 200 largest US-headquartered employers in our list, with about 341,000 employees worldwide (year not stated). That is roughly the number of people who live in Anaheim, California. It was founded 1983.
The company's headquarters state, Washington, has 7,816,116 residents, a median household income of $98,141 and an unemployment rate of 4.8%. The occupations with the most jobs in the state are Software Developers (median $166,540); Home Health and Personal Care Aides (median $47,730); Fast Food and Counter Workers (median $37,710); Retail Salespersons (median $39,560); Registered Nurses (median $124,200). A large employer headquartered there hires from the same pool, plus specialised roles tied to its industry (Retail).
Honest limits. The headcount is the company's global figure as reported in its public filings and compiled on Wikipedia. It does not say how many people work at the headquarters, and it does not mean the company is hiring. For open positions, use the company's own careers page, linked in the official links below.
These links go to official sources and open in a new window. The first one is the government's or company's own site as listed in Wikidata (property "official website"); check it before relying on it.
The company's home state is Washington: median household income $98,141, unemployment 4.8%, state income tax: no state tax on wages.
| Company ⇅ | Industry ⇅ | Employees ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com | Conglomerate | 1,576,000 |
| Microsoft | Information technology | 223,000 |
| T-Mobile US | Telecommunications | 75,000 |
| Danaher | Healthcare industry | 63,000 |
| Company ⇅ | Headquarters ⇅ | Employees ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart | Arkansas | 2,100,000 |
| Home Depot | Georgia | 470,000 |
| Target | Minnesota | 415,000 |
| Kroger | Ohio | 410,000 |
| TJX Companies | Massachusetts | 349,000 |
| Albertsons Companies | Idaho | 325,000 |
| Walgreens Boots Alliance | Illinois | 312,000 |
| CVS Health | Rhode Island | 300,000 |
| Lowe's Companies | North Carolina | 270,000 |
| Publix Super Markets | Florida | 260,000 |
| H-E-B Grocery | Texas | 175,000 |
| 7-Eleven | Texas | 135,332 |
About 341,000 worldwide (year not stated), per the company's reported figure.
Washington.
It ranks #14 among the 200 largest US-headquartered employers by global headcount.