City Town Info

Kennewick Employment

Employment and Industries in the Kennewick, Washington Area

The major job providing segments in Kennewick, Washington are professional, scientific and technical services, healthcare, educational services, construction, accommodation and food services and the government. Management, professional and related occupations (30% of the workforce). Sales and office occupations (25% of the jobs).

The Kennewick region's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory employs a large number of scientists. Agriculture is an important economic element for Kennewick. The area includes a thriving wine industry. Tourism also contributes to the economy due to the popularity of outdoor activities. Educational, health and social services are major industries in Kennewick.

Noteworthy information about Kennewick, Washington: Adult residents holding a bachelor's degree or better: 22%. Cost of living index in 2008: 84.1 (national average: 100). Average earnings in 2009: $34,000.

Kennewick's major job providers are shown below:

  • Kennewick Public Hospital District
  • American Building Maintenance Co-West
  • JC Penney Corporation, Inc
  • Weston Lamb Sales Inc
  • Cascade Columbia Foods LTD
  • Valley Roz Orchards Inc
  • Public Utility District No 1 of Benton County
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation
  • Home Depot USA, Inc
  • Welch Foods Inc, A Cooperative
  • Columbia Colstor, Inc
  • Neil F Lampson, Inc
  • Kennewick School District 17
  • Macy's Retail Holdings, Inc
  • Walmart Stores, Inc
  • Kennewick Industrial & Electrical Supply Inc
  • Tisport, LLC

Some of the jobs more popular in Kennewick when compared to most other cities are nuclear engineers, graders and sorters of agricultural products, occupational health and safety specialists, farm equipment mechanics, chemical engineers, civil engineers, environmental scientists and specialists, and chemists.

Local companies are invited to work with organizations including:

The Tri-City Herald is a good resource regarding local business and industry news.

Most Popular Jobs in Kennewick, Washington Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Civil engineers1,73085,880$56,200 - 123,84018%87%
2Registered nurses1,40061,520$43,700 - 82,18024%56%
3Elementary school teachers, except special education1,06052,260$36,570 - 67,35014%95%
4Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education66057,860$41,640 - 76,0606%96%
5Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products62041,770$21,450 - 66,0508%51%
6Teachers and instructors, all other60040,730$27,620 - 74,9609%54%
7Occupational health and safety specialists56075,800$65,170 - 96,4208%72%
8Accountants and auditors52064,360$42,080 - 94,41018%79%
9Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education48055,310$39,600 - 74,41011%95%
10Engineers, all other47095,420$61,500 - 129,4706%82%
11Environmental scientists and specialists, including health45082,050$49,610 - 121,65025%93%
12Chemists44088,900$56,950 - 126,5509%93%
13Managers, all other400116,420$70,010 - 160,6307%55%
14Engineering managers400123,850$91,050 - 162,2307%84%
15Computer systems analysts36077,050$52,420 - 105,28029%68%
16Nuclear engineers34098,070$74,660 - 127,9307%82%
17Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other28065,750$46,360 - 94,09017%56%
18Financial managers27091,470$57,170 - 131,07013%60%
19Industrial engineers26088,100$66,210 - 117,48020%74%
20Mechanical engineers26086,640$65,220 - 119,5104%78%
21Social and human service assistants25030,720$20,900 - 43,70034%58%
22Chemical engineers230100,860$72,890 - 135,8008%91%
23Environmental engineers22091,580$62,020 - 123,57025%86%
24Electrical engineers20091,550$59,650 - 124,5106%81%
25Rehabilitation counselors19036,800$22,780 - 53,66023%73%
26Computer specialists, all other18072,450$32,630 - 114,14015%68%
27Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents17070,910$35,000 - 126,83025%67%
28Education administrators, elementary and secondary school16090,540$73,160 - 109,5208%78%
29Pharmacists160104,240$87,910 - 129,29022%97%
30Computer software engineers, applications16089,680$59,070 - 129,69045%85%
31Educational, vocational, and school counselors16057,170$41,770 - 79,10013%73%
32Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors15038,850$25,800 - 50,39034%73%
33Mental health counselors14039,290$26,650 - 54,69030%73%
34Lawyers14092,150$56,410 - 137,91011%99%
35Vocational education teachers, secondary school13056,090$39,050 - 75,5300%96%
36Computer and information systems managers130119,230$80,970 - 16%73%
37Training and development specialists13072,150$40,930 - 98,06018%56%
38Self-enrichment education teachers13035,170$22,760 - 49,56023%54%
39Coaches and scouts13037,310$18,650 - 62,01015%60%
40Management analysts12090,410$57,240 - 129,72022%78%
41Advertising sales agents12041,830$18,150 - 78,28020%56%
42Network systems and data communications analysts12067,410$43,960 - 95,47053%57%
43Graphic designers12037,350$22,380 - 61,97010%55%
44Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors12091,560$68,230 - 121,12010%74%
45Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors12046,170$33,610 - 61,27014%54%
46Librarians10058,150$44,080 - 75,7304%85%
47Physical therapists10066,550$52,720 - 84,56027%89%
48Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products10058,480$38,750 - 93,90012%51%
49Public relations specialists10063,090$35,850 - 93,37018%81%
50Biological technicians9035,150$21,510 - 50,58016%60%
51Technical writers9068,330$47,900 - 92,75020%74%
52Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers9080,800$51,900 - 109,96022%93%
53Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school9054,420$41,630 - 67,38020%87%
54Sales managers90111,380$59,650 - 10%69%
55Physical scientists, all other8096,750$63,970 - 129,3506%98%
56Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation8053,390$31,760 - 89,5605%58%
57Financial specialists, all other8050,370$37,680 - 60,02012%50%
58Network and computer systems administrators8073,760$54,850 - 103,39027%50%
59Computer software engineers, systems software8088,670$61,080 - 111,71028%85%
60Occupational health and safety technicians8063,660$45,170 - 79,22015%72%
61Computer programmers7047,120$19,820 - 74,5300%73%
62Surveyors7068,920$51,510 - 92,84024%82%
63Medical and clinical laboratory technologists7053,260$41,740 - 66,91012%51%
64Education, training, and library workers, all other7053,470$35,580 - 76,06011%79%
65Purchasing managers70111,240$76,830 - 154,5803%57%
66Dentists, general70201,540$138,240 - 9%100%
67Medical and health services managers7097,820$66,760 - 127,62016%57%
68Child, family, and school social workers7052,580$41,260 - 63,59019%77%
69Human resources managers, all other60104,640$74,180 - 136,66011%58%
70Speech-language pathologists6064,370$47,600 - 85,13011%98%
71Sales and related workers, all other6055,610$19,500 - 115,66014%62%
72Merchandise displayers and window trimmers6025,230$19,040 - 30,65011%55%
73Instructional coordinators5077,180$54,560 - 105,00023%79%
74Health educators5050,790$35,390 - 70,98026%58%
75Electronics engineers, except computer5089,990$65,410 - 125,1904%81%
76Personal financial advisors50115,460$44,220 - 41%81%
77Floral designers5023,630$18,860 - 30,0200%55%
78Special education teachers, secondary school5053,460$36,970 - 67,2209%87%
79Financial analysts5072,540$54,560 - 85,48034%87%
80Medical and public health social workers5039,810$17,850 - 67,51024%77%
81Physician assistants5086,430$72,010 - 103,37027%67%
82Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists5065,010$48,710 - 82,26016%99%
83Social and community service managers4039,280$22,130 - 65,51025%72%
84Occupational therapists4070,930$55,370 - 92,09023%90%
85Market research analysts4055,860$35,240 - 81,45020%82%
86Zoologists and wildlife biologists4052,490$35,400 - 82,0609%95%
87Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists4059,730$25,860 - 98,84018%56%
88Database administrators4066,330$39,860 - 99,36029%72%
89Editors4064,200$43,240 - 84,0102%81%
90Chief executives40198,520$119,080 - 2%65%
91Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists3059,190$41,510 - 77,85018%56%
92Mental health and substance abuse social workers3043,440$31,920 - 54,12030%77%
93Budget analysts3073,720$45,540 - 98,9307%78%
94Urban and regional planners3065,150$45,430 - 87,42015%92%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons3,24029,130$17,660 - 48,55012%25%
2Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food2,96020,110$17,270 - 24,44018%5%
3Cashiers2,81021,200$17,280 - 28,850-2%10%
4Office clerks, general1,83028,240$19,070 - 39,28013%19%
5Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,55025,280$17,900 - 36,71015%4%
6Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand1,34023,190$17,520 - 31,1202%5%
7Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,32034,440$22,700 - 47,85013%16%
8Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,27034,220$23,850 - 45,9201%18%
9Teacher assistants1,22027,590$19,380 - 33,14010%18%
10Stock clerks and order fillers1,20024,160$17,570 - 35,650-7%8%
11Waiters and waitresses1,18024,890$17,730 - 32,53011%14%
12Carpenters1,13047,610$28,730 - 65,80010%6%
13Packers and packagers, hand1,12022,090$17,490 - 31,620-11%3%
14Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer98043,730$28,510 - 59,15010%4%
15Construction laborers90030,330$18,920 - 47,63011%5%
16First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers84037,590$24,060 - 54,5604%25%
17Business operations specialists, all other78070,340$45,380 - 99,29021%49%
18Receptionists and information clerks77024,740$19,330 - 31,53017%13%
19First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers76051,080$27,410 - 77,8606%29%
20Maintenance and repair workers, general75036,630$19,000 - 54,07010%6%
21Industrial truck and tractor operators73029,110$19,590 - 39,690-1%2%
22Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants68023,330$18,010 - 30,26018%7%
23Landscaping and groundskeeping workers68025,680$18,490 - 36,56018%6%
24Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders67025,870$18,280 - 36,060-4%5%
25Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters67057,900$30,730 - 81,03011%4%
26Child care workers66019,800$17,350 - 23,18018%15%
27Electricians61053,830$27,320 - 78,8807%7%
28Security guards61047,250$27,210 - 63,62017%13%
29Executive secretaries and administrative assistants60044,950$33,740 - 61,36015%18%
30Medical secretaries58031,740$25,650 - 40,13017%18%
31Truck drivers, light or delivery services57028,400$18,180 - 53,7808%4%
32Maids and housekeeping cleaners56020,100$17,050 - 24,49013%5%
33General and operations managers560117,520$58,410 - 2%48%
34First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers53061,200$42,990 - 84,4509%10%
35Billing and posting clerks and machine operators52032,380$24,310 - 40,6604%15%
36Cooks, restaurant49022,920$17,840 - 29,54012%5%
37Automotive service technicians and mechanics47036,140$21,560 - 57,22014%4%
38Counter and rental clerks47024,530$17,400 - 37,36023%16%
39Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks44027,490$19,000 - 39,6104%6%
40Driver/sales workers42028,890$18,960 - 38,530-4%4%
41Customer service representatives39031,050$18,510 - 44,13025%22%
42Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers39030,350$17,950 - 50,360-6%14%
43First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers38034,660$22,190 - 49,25011%14%
44Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop38021,000$17,570 - 25,97010%8%
45Tellers37024,270$18,160 - 31,95014%16%
46Bus drivers, school37030,520$26,770 - 35,7909%4%
47Food preparation workers34021,580$17,600 - 28,53015%7%
48Cooks, fast food32018,650$17,050 - 20,3608%5%
49Medical assistants31029,390$21,530 - 39,89035%10%
50Cleaners of vehicles and equipment31021,890$17,280 - 30,14014%3%
51Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses30040,220$32,160 - 49,98014%7%
52Graders and sorters, agricultural products30019,800$17,170 - 24,140-1%0%
53Bartenders29026,050$18,000 - 33,74011%17%
54First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers29063,810$42,910 - 89,3907%13%
55Fire fighters29060,600$43,610 - 78,86012%18%
56Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products29067,970$42,540 - 99,6400%42%
57First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers28062,880$33,140 - 100,710-4%15%
58Dental assistants27035,280$24,910 - 47,43029%9%
59Industrial machinery mechanics27052,250$33,260 - 77,8409%5%
60Painters, construction and maintenance26041,350$24,010 - 70,52012%6%
61Office and administrative support workers, all other25034,990$21,950 - 48,870-8%32%
62Police and sheriff's patrol officers25063,290$47,440 - 81,34011%33%
63Computer support specialists25047,330$29,130 - 67,86013%43%
64Gaming dealers24032,580$23,960 - 39,90024%11%
65Insurance sales agents23046,990$23,700 - 88,05013%45%
66Healthcare support workers, all other22030,270$21,360 - 38,97016%10%
67Dishwashers22018,920$17,050 - 20,56010%3%
68Postal service mail carriers220 1%11%
69Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders22021,740$17,520 - 28,870-8%3%
70Architectural and civil drafters21064,370$35,500 - 98,9406%25%
71Electrical power-line installers and repairers20071,020$55,530 - 84,4907%6%
72Cost estimators20059,200$35,700 - 92,26019%32%
73Construction and building inspectors20059,670$31,970 - 105,44018%23%
74Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors20034,430$18,940 - 59,26027%47%
75Sales representatives, services, all other19049,710$27,120 - 80,98028%48%
76Health technologists and technicians, all other19065,970$42,240 - 79,38015%27%
77Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers19041,080$25,740 - 62,1609%3%
78Production, planning, and expediting clerks19055,200$32,310 - 85,2804%30%
79Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists18045,010$28,220 - 61,39012%3%
80Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop18018,830$17,110 - 20,53010%17%
81Chemical technicians18055,690$23,310 - 79,2206%37%
82Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers18019,480$17,070 - 23,14012%6%
83Radiologic technologists and technicians18055,380$39,790 - 75,51015%25%
84Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists18024,250$17,390 - 38,85012%6%
85Cooks, institution and cafeteria17025,370$19,190 - 32,10011%5%
86Parts salespersons17028,220$18,490 - 42,110-1%6%
87Amusement and recreation attendants17023,790$17,720 - 32,04024%22%
88Surveying and mapping technicians17041,230$28,460 - 56,66019%7%
89Pharmacy technicians17031,630$21,930 - 40,05032%16%
90Electrical and electronic engineering technicians16066,130$53,020 - 79,2404%18%
91Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks16020,410$17,380 - 24,58017%14%
92First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators16047,740$29,620 - 67,06010%17%
93All other information and record clerks16041,740$29,520 - 54,620-12%21%
94Machinists16040,450$26,130 - 69,280-2%3%
95Transportation, storage, and distribution managers15086,020$58,580 - 112,0908%25%
96First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers15060,310$36,790 - 81,1404%38%
97Vocational education teachers, postsecondary14052,060$33,870 - 76,8000%0%
98Loan officers14062,670$31,360 - 93,13012%49%
99Dental hygienists14091,360$75,840 - 105,83030%33%
100Cement masons and concrete finishers14042,170$27,780 - 61,78011%2%
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Career Schools in Kennewick

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University of Phoenix
Kennewick, Washington
  • Programs: Business And Management, Computer Science And Engineering, Education And Teaching, Family And Social Work, Hospitality, Liberal Arts, Media, Medical Administration, Medicine, Nursing And Emergency Medicine, Nutrition And Exercise Therapy, Security And Law Enforcement, Therapy And Counseling
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Jobs More Common Near Kennewick Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Nuclear engineers98,07034096.3
Graders and sorters, agricultural products19,80030025.4
Occupational health and safety specialists75,80056019
Farm equipment mechanics36,19010015.3
Chemical engineers100,86023013.8
Civil engineers85,8801,73010.1
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health82,0504509.3
Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors91,5601208.7
Food cooking machine operators and tenders26,1501308.6
Chemists88,9004408.5
Environmental engineers91,5802207
Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders21,7402206.4
Gaming dealers32,5802405.8
Environmental science and protection technicians, including health59,7501005.7
Stationary engineers and boiler operators62,1901005
Chemical technicians55,6901804.8
Engineers, all other95,4204704.7
Health technologists and technicians, all other65,9701904.6
Electrical power-line installers and repairers71,0202004.2
Surveying and mapping technicians41,2301704
Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors46,1701203.9
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors38,8501503.6
Engineering managers123,8504003.4
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders25,8706703.4
Construction and building inspectors59,6702003.4
Rehabilitation counselors36,8001903.3
Structural iron and steel workers60,9001103.1
Vocational education teachers, secondary school56,0901303.1
Architectural and civil drafters64,3702102.8
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers86,0201502.6
Civil engineering technicians50,7001302.5
Demonstrators and product promoters19,3601102.5
Packers and packagers, hand22,0901,1202.4
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters57,9006702.4
Vocational education teachers, postsecondary52,0601402.4
Mental health counselors39,2901402.3
Industrial engineers88,1002602.1
Carpenters47,6101,1302.1
Electrical engineers91,5502002
Medical secretaries31,7405802
Teachers and instructors, all other40,7306002
Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other65,7502802
Industrial truck and tractor operators29,1107302
Healthcare support workers, all other30,2702201.9
Fire fighters60,6002901.9
Mechanical engineers86,6402601.9
Driver/sales workers28,8904201.9
Child care workers19,8006601.8
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines52,8601301.8
Roofers35,8901301.8

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Kennewick, Washington Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Security guards47,2501.87610
Health technologists and technicians, all other65,9701.62190
Gaming dealers32,5801.5240
Administrative services managers107,5101.48140
Architectural and civil drafters64,3701.47210
Fire fighters60,6001.44290
Dental hygienists91,3601.44140
Training and development specialists72,1501.43130
Managers, all other116,4201.41400
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health82,0501.35450
Production, planning, and expediting clerks55,2001.35190
Chemists88,9001.35440
Bartenders26,0501.34290
Structural iron and steel workers60,9001.34110
Waiters and waitresses24,8901.331,180
Chemical technicians55,6901.33180
Police and sheriff's patrol officers63,2901.31250
Electrical power-line installers and repairers71,0201.3200
Amusement and recreation attendants23,7901.29170
Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products67,9701.28290
Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors91,5601.27120
Electrical and electronic engineering technicians66,1301.27160
All other information and record clerks41,7401.26160
Construction managers106,0901.26110
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters57,9001.26670
Teacher assistants27,5901.241,220
Occupational health and safety specialists75,8001.24560
Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines52,8601.23130
Environmental engineers91,5801.23220
Management analysts90,4101.23120
Library technicians36,1101.22110
General and operations managers117,5201.22560
Construction and building inspectors59,6701.22200
Carpenters47,6101.211,130
Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other65,7501.21280
Industrial engineers88,1001.21260
Painters, construction and maintenance41,3501.21260
Business operations specialists, all other70,3401.19780
Retail salespersons29,1301.193,240
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers62,8801.19280
Engineers, all other95,4201.19470
Chemical engineers100,8601.18230
Computer and information systems managers119,2301.18130
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop21,0001.18380
Industrial machinery mechanics52,2501.17270
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive34,2201.171,270
Civil engineers85,8801.171,730
Mechanical engineers86,6401.17260
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food20,1101.172,960
Bus drivers, school30,5201.17370

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