City Town Info

Olympia Employment

Employment and Industries in the Olympia, Washington Area

Due to Olympia being a state capital, state government is the city's largest employer and it's also a major part of the economy. Some of the notable industries in Olympia are industrial supplies, machinery and plastics. Employment is also provided by firms producing items such as processed foods, wood products and metal and paper containers.

Agriculture, livestock, poultry and timber contribute to the economy. Tourism is also important. The area also includes a gambling sector. Notable companies located in the region are Univera Inc., Fast Transact and Reach One.

Legal and consulting companies are strong element's of the area's economy. The region also includes an emerging life sciences community and noteworthy warehouse and distribution companies.

The largest employers for the Olympia area:

  • State of Washington
  • Local Government
  • Providence St. Peter Hospital
  • Tribal Government
  • Federal Government
  • Group Health Cooperative
  • Columbia Capital Medical Center
  • St. Martin's University
  • Walmart Stores Inc
  • Costco Wholesale Corp

Some of the occupations which are more common in Olympia than most other cities are zoologists and wildlife biologists, forest and conservation technicians, budget analysts, social science research assistants, urban and regional planners, health educators, environmental scientists and specialists; and computer applications software engineers.

The major nonagricultural employment segments in Olympia, Washington:

  • Government
  • Trade, transportation and utilities
  • Leisure and hospitality
  • Professional and business services
  • Construction and mining
  • Financial activities

Some of the associations providing help to Olympia companies are:

The Olympian.com offers details about the local business community.

Most Popular Jobs in Olympia, 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
1Computer software engineers, applications2,52072,290$55,410 - 93,40045%85%
2Registered nurses1,49071,950$49,580 - 98,54024%56%
3Teachers and instructors, all other93038,430$27,890 - 55,3909%54%
4Budget analysts87050,600$36,090 - 64,8607%78%
5Elementary school teachers, except special education84053,090$37,810 - 65,75014%95%
6Civil engineers81073,150$54,080 - 98,00018%87%
7Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other62057,410$40,510 - 82,28017%56%
8Accountants and auditors58063,680$43,190 - 96,91018%79%
9Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education53055,960$41,470 - 72,7106%96%
10Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products53058,330$24,170 - 111,2908%51%
11Public relations specialists52066,340$37,750 - 114,06018%81%
12Environmental scientists and specialists, including health47054,570$38,840 - 74,54025%93%
13Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education47052,980$37,820 - 66,42011%95%
14Lawyers45087,910$58,750 - 124,56011%99%
15Urban and regional planners40065,200$46,200 - 81,82015%92%
16Health educators39056,210$40,780 - 74,57026%58%
17Social and human service assistants36028,940$21,040 - 42,53034%58%
18Management analysts36066,200$44,120 - 94,11022%78%
19Financial managers34095,940$69,130 - 131,55013%60%
20Coaches and scouts32029,760$17,920 - 52,96015%60%
21Zoologists and wildlife biologists26063,270$44,580 - 82,6409%95%
22Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation24057,180$42,040 - 77,7205%58%
23Rehabilitation counselors24048,810$27,690 - 64,02023%73%
24Computer software engineers, systems software21089,440$57,720 - 124,85028%85%
25Computer systems analysts19078,020$50,140 - 115,07029%68%
26Child, family, and school social workers19044,170$25,140 - 62,38019%77%
27Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors18041,170$29,090 - 54,20014%54%
28Educational, vocational, and school counselors18057,970$42,610 - 78,68013%73%
29Legislators17052,670$42,070 - 80,2701%65%
30Network and computer systems administrators17065,920$45,770 - 84,99027%50%
31Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists16048,580$35,160 - 63,73018%56%
32Education administrators, elementary and secondary school16091,610$74,410 - 106,6308%78%
33Sales and related workers, all other16042,680$21,960 - 55,46014%62%
34Pharmacists160100,670$79,620 - 129,06022%97%
35Librarians14056,590$40,920 - 69,5104%85%
36Managers, all other14095,030$54,110 - 128,9207%55%
37Biological technicians14037,040$26,220 - 49,33016%60%
38Statisticians13062,390$39,900 - 90,6409%93%
39Environmental engineers13082,300$67,010 - 101,27025%86%
40Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers13065,340$40,330 - 81,14022%93%
41Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products13084,380$39,270 - 12%51%
42Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school13051,630$37,010 - 66,03020%87%
43Social and community service managers12080,090$30,050 - 106,05025%72%
44Medical and clinical laboratory technicians12037,680$25,520 - 57,25015%51%
45Self-enrichment education teachers12037,180$22,230 - 51,84023%54%
46Sales managers12089,560$54,640 - 150,20010%69%
47Physical therapists12062,700$52,820 - 78,49027%89%
48Architects, except landscape and naval11073,590$52,710 - 95,45018%88%
49Vocational education teachers, secondary school11059,520$44,640 - 77,2700%96%
50Graphic designers11042,380$23,030 - 59,98010%55%
51Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors11038,530$28,100 - 50,68034%73%
52Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists10090,050$34,420 - 18%56%
53Education, training, and library workers, all other10058,430$40,690 - 79,78011%79%
54Training and development specialists9047,930$25,540 - 74,94018%56%
55Speech-language pathologists9066,360$48,270 - 84,92011%98%
56Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists9069,260$54,330 - 81,58016%99%
57Medical and health services managers90107,100$52,660 - 162,28016%57%
58Human resources managers, all other9082,620$61,900 - 108,92011%58%
59Instructional coordinators8057,640$23,090 - 80,86023%79%
60Computer programmers8080,770$56,640 - 104,4500%73%
61Engineering managers80111,450$91,110 - 130,9407%84%
62Medical and public health social workers8049,500$31,590 - 69,40024%77%
63Market research analysts8059,390$32,570 - 86,13020%82%
64Public relations managers8095,990$56,330 - 127,78017%75%
65Computer and information systems managers80101,650$71,590 - 134,51016%73%
66Advertising sales agents7049,870$28,000 - 77,99020%56%
67Special education teachers, secondary school7052,380$39,400 - 66,3009%87%
68Social scientists and related workers, all other7077,020$41,450 - 121,3805%90%
69Insurance underwriters6048,610$42,020 - 52,0206%53%
70Network systems and data communications analysts6062,650$41,710 - 91,01053%57%
71Financial analysts6091,250$46,370 - 140,77034%87%
72Veterinarians6087,820$54,560 - 105,17035%100%
73Financial specialists, all other6067,150$40,060 - 87,97012%50%
74Dentists, general60186,500$100,890 - 9%100%
75Physician assistants6088,020$60,690 - 122,58027%67%
76Marketing managers5084,000$32,870 - 127,40014%69%
77Occupational therapists5066,090$47,610 - 81,98023%90%
78Medical and clinical laboratory technologists5059,600$43,690 - 79,24012%51%
79Database administrators5076,860$53,510 - 103,01029%72%
80Detectives and criminal investigators5060,890$52,780 - 75,07017%54%
81Education administrators, postsecondary5095,840$56,830 - 162,86014%78%
82Chief executives50145,070$103,070 - 2%65%
83Personal financial advisors5068,920$37,130 - 113,45041%81%
84Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program4045,480$27,110 - 65,60024%78%
85Chemists4069,070$36,190 - 105,3109%93%
86Editors4049,570$32,240 - 75,1302%81%
87Natural sciences managers4095,360$51,600 - 131,16011%93%
88Surveyors3062,390$36,800 - 81,23024%82%
89Special education teachers, middle school3052,180$37,800 - 66,01016%87%
90Floral designers3032,430$21,460 - 42,1300%55%
91Medical scientists, except epidemiologists3076,350$52,230 - 102,00020%99%
92Industrial engineers3061,750$45,120 - 80,27020%74%
93Conservation scientists3075,770$52,970 - 120,4405%86%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Office clerks, general3,00028,800$20,690 - 38,21013%19%
2Business operations specialists, all other2,85071,420$53,390 - 93,70021%49%
3Cashiers2,84022,110$17,350 - 30,220-2%10%
4Retail salespersons2,58026,750$17,610 - 44,85012%25%
5Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food2,06020,960$17,560 - 25,61018%5%
6Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,97037,840$27,780 - 49,8201%18%
7Stock clerks and order fillers1,70025,470$17,940 - 36,290-7%8%
8Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,65034,450$22,980 - 47,81013%16%
9Waiters and waitresses1,48028,600$19,680 - 36,54011%14%
10Teacher assistants1,32026,570$21,280 - 32,05010%18%
11Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,27027,280$18,670 - 38,12015%4%
12First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers96048,670$29,800 - 68,3606%29%
13Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand95026,900$18,060 - 38,8902%5%
14Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer90041,810$31,860 - 53,42010%4%
15Receptionists and information clerks88026,420$19,020 - 33,71017%13%
16First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers85049,120$28,030 - 91,7304%25%
17Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop85020,110$17,190 - 25,83010%8%
18Maintenance and repair workers, general82038,570$23,230 - 53,89010%6%
19Cooks, restaurant81025,660$18,210 - 38,01012%5%
20Carpenters80048,790$31,820 - 75,71010%6%
21Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators77053,580$40,150 - 64,8609%47%
22Executive secretaries and administrative assistants71052,530$33,590 - 75,87015%18%
23General and operations managers700110,350$63,700 - 2%48%
24Landscaping and groundskeeping workers68028,080$20,080 - 40,22018%6%
25Construction laborers62034,860$21,470 - 61,70011%5%
26Insurance claims and policy processing clerks60039,410$28,470 - 49,9500%22%
27Medical secretaries60035,820$25,180 - 49,42017%18%
28Computer support specialists58047,470$34,890 - 61,31013%43%
29Counter and rental clerks58027,510$17,830 - 42,17023%16%
30Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants55023,490$18,770 - 30,47018%7%
31Truck drivers, light or delivery services55031,550$19,170 - 47,4408%4%
32First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers51036,080$25,430 - 49,74011%14%
33Medical assistants49032,920$25,270 - 43,03035%10%
34Dishwashers45019,010$17,140 - 20,69010%3%
35Maids and housekeeping cleaners44021,830$17,470 - 30,53013%5%
36Cooks, fast food43019,380$17,370 - 20,7808%5%
37Billing and posting clerks and machine operators43034,620$26,860 - 48,5004%15%
38Bus drivers, school42032,340$23,970 - 40,0709%4%
39Packers and packagers, hand41023,530$17,690 - 31,590-11%3%
40Police and sheriff's patrol officers40063,990$44,830 - 82,01011%33%
41Food preparation workers40021,570$17,550 - 28,70015%7%
42Electricians40053,430$29,180 - 83,4007%7%
43Bartenders40027,220$18,140 - 33,72011%17%
44Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators38048,740$23,880 - 77,7908%3%
45Tellers37025,530$20,580 - 32,09014%16%
46Dental assistants36037,120$21,900 - 50,68029%9%
47Child care workers36021,630$17,290 - 29,19018%15%
48Industrial truck and tractor operators33031,720$22,970 - 40,030-1%2%
49Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses33042,920$33,970 - 51,20014%7%
50Fire fighters31061,050$42,960 - 79,56012%18%
51Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers31018,940$17,050 - 20,39012%6%
52Preschool teachers, except special education30025,710$18,740 - 38,07026%43%
53Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop30019,390$17,210 - 21,50010%17%
54First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers30073,480$48,140 - 102,6409%10%
55Cooks, institution and cafeteria29026,290$20,930 - 32,37011%5%
56Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products28052,360$39,010 - 64,6500%42%
57Office and administrative support workers, all other28031,710$19,530 - 50,520-8%32%
58Driver/sales workers27030,320$21,260 - 47,360-4%4%
59Automotive service technicians and mechanics27045,530$29,270 - 62,05014%4%
60Painters, construction and maintenance27036,480$23,110 - 54,84012%6%
61Loan officers26059,630$23,920 - 99,38012%49%
62Legal secretaries25041,890$33,470 - 50,63012%18%
63Team assemblers24027,310$19,840 - 37,6600%5%
64Recreation workers24025,520$18,970 - 37,37013%47%
65Postal service mail carriers240 1%11%
66Bus drivers, transit and intercity24039,150$29,330 - 49,14013%4%
67Civil engineering technicians24050,680$37,870 - 63,85010%18%
68Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists23045,910$34,270 - 59,41012%3%
69Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors23034,440$18,150 - 54,01027%47%
70First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers22062,280$44,070 - 84,4407%13%
71Bill and account collectors22040,790$27,680 - 56,88023%13%
72Amusement and recreation attendants22020,760$17,510 - 26,08024%22%
73Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists22029,110$17,970 - 44,89012%6%
74Legal support workers, all other21050,990$36,250 - 68,8105%38%
75Sheet metal workers20059,310$35,000 - 83,6507%4%
76Machine feeders and offbearers20026,680$18,080 - 37,300-14%0%
77Cleaners of vehicles and equipment20021,790$17,410 - 29,20014%3%
78Dental hygienists19088,810$74,420 - 103,41030%33%
79Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks19019,420$17,270 - 22,70017%14%
80Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks19028,620$18,950 - 39,5204%6%
81All other information and record clerks19036,830$25,680 - 49,280-12%21%
82Interviewers, except eligibility and loan18030,660$22,730 - 39,58010%24%
83First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers17052,640$31,770 - 79,760-4%15%
84Insurance sales agents16056,690$30,550 - 83,90013%45%
85Sales representatives, services, all other16060,620$26,650 - 110,44028%48%
86Paralegals and legal assistants16048,820$28,880 - 64,30022%45%
87Massage therapists16062,440$38,100 - 82,60020%32%
88Pharmacy technicians16035,130$27,100 - 41,73032%16%
89Parts salespersons15031,800$22,050 - 44,630-1%6%
90Administrative services managers15096,630$66,540 - 127,53012%40%
91Loan interviewers and clerks14036,180$28,770 - 41,8900%24%
92Property, real estate, and community association managers14053,540$33,920 - 104,40015%36%
93Social science research assistants14046,790$33,000 - 61,79012%46%
94Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers13024,630$17,540 - 34,54012%0%
95Radiologic technologists and technicians13058,390$35,870 - 82,27015%25%
96Nonfarm animal caretakers13022,770$17,720 - 30,96018%16%
97Cost estimators13051,890$34,410 - 67,24019%32%
98First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators13058,630$39,980 - 85,81010%17%
99Medical transcriptionists13034,720$20,580 - 48,27014%10%
100Automotive body and related repairers13043,870$29,750 - 61,31012%3%
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Olympia colleges and trade schools.
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Olympia hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Olympia MortgageOlympia Mortgage
Olympia property, mortgage, and real estate.

Jobs More Common Near Olympia Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Zoologists and wildlife biologists63,27026045.7
Forest and conservation technicians49,80013031.4
Budget analysts50,60087021.9
Social science research assistants46,79014020.3
Urban and regional planners65,20040018.5
Health educators56,21039010.3
Statisticians62,39013010.2
Legal support workers, all other50,9902109.4
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health54,5704709.2
Computer software engineers, applications72,2902,5206.9
Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers65,3401306.9
Legislators52,6701706
Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors41,1701805.5
Massage therapists62,4401605.3
Civil engineers73,1508104.5
Civil engineering technicians50,6802404.4
Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other57,4106204.2
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators53,5807704.1
Business operations specialists, all other71,4202,8504
Rehabilitation counselors48,8102404
Environmental engineers82,3001304
Insurance claims and policy processing clerks39,4106003.9
Biological technicians37,0401403.9
Machine feeders and offbearers26,6802003.1
Public relations specialists66,3405203.1
Coaches and scouts29,7603203
Teachers and instructors, all other38,4309303
Service station attendants24,0501102.6
Medical transcriptionists34,7201302.6
Bus drivers, transit and intercity39,1502402.5
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop20,1108502.5
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors38,5301102.5
Vocational education teachers, secondary school59,5201102.5
New accounts clerks32,3301202.3
Education, training, and library workers, all other58,4301002.1
Medical secretaries35,8206002
Sheet metal workers59,3102002
Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists48,5801602
Counter and rental clerks27,5105802
Fire fighters61,0503101.9
Dental assistants37,1203601.9
Social and human service assistants28,9403601.8
Vocational education teachers, postsecondary43,8701101.8
Highway maintenance workers46,8001001.7
Office and administrative support workers, all other31,7102801.7
Sales and related workers, all other42,6801601.7
Teacher assistants26,5701,3201.7
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators48,7403801.7
Dental hygienists88,8101901.7
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive37,8401,9701.6

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Massage therapists62,4401.6160
Waiters and waitresses28,6001.531,480
Legislators52,6701.48170
Fire fighters61,0501.45310
Sheet metal workers59,3101.42200
Social and community service managers80,0901.4120
Bartenders27,2201.4400
Dental hygienists88,8101.4190
Forest and conservation technicians49,8001.36130
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants52,5301.35710
Rehabilitation counselors48,8101.35240
Administrative services managers96,6301.33150
Bill and account collectors40,7901.32220
Police and sheriff's patrol officers63,9901.32400
Public relations specialists66,3401.31520
Security guards32,9301.3130
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive37,8401.31,970
Bus drivers, transit and intercity39,1501.29240
First-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers45,7801.28120
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers49,1201.27850
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers73,4801.26300
Automotive service technicians and mechanics45,5301.26270
Pharmacy technicians35,1301.25160
Carpenters48,7901.24800
Bus drivers, school32,3401.24420
Medical secretaries35,8201.23600
Health educators56,2101.23390
Healthcare support workers, all other35,6501.22110
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food20,9601.222,060
Business operations specialists, all other71,4201.212,850
Teacher assistants26,5701.191,320
Cashiers22,1101.192,840
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers36,0801.19510
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners27,2801.191,270
Insurance claims and policy processing clerks39,4101.19600
Cooks, restaurant25,6601.18810
Counter and rental clerks27,5101.18580
Service station attendants24,0501.17110
Medical assistants32,9201.17490
Sales representatives, services, all other60,6201.17160
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists45,9101.17230
Registered nurses71,9501.171,490
Legal secretaries41,8901.16250
Social science research assistants46,7901.16140
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists29,1101.16220
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers28,0801.16680
Driver/sales workers30,3201.16270
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products84,3801.16130
Packers and packagers, hand23,5301.15410
Dental assistants37,1201.15360

Highest Paying Jobs in Olympia, Washington Metro Area (2008 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Dentists, general186,50060
Physicians and surgeons, all other168,60040
Chief executives145,07050
Family and general practitioners134,34050
Engineering managers111,45080
General and operations managers110,350700
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers107,95060
Medical and health services managers107,10090
Computer and information systems managers101,65080
Pharmacists100,670160
Administrative services managers96,630150
Public relations managers95,99080
Financial managers95,940340
Construction managers95,880110
Education administrators, postsecondary95,84050
Natural sciences managers95,36040
Industrial production managers95,18030
Managers, all other95,030140
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school91,610160
Financial analysts91,25060
Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists90,050100
Sales managers89,560120
First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers89,52090
Computer software engineers, systems software89,440210
Dental hygienists88,810190
Physician assistants88,02060
Lawyers87,910450
Veterinarians87,82060
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives87,72090
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products84,380130
Marketing managers84,00050
Occupational health and safety specialists83,420 
Human resources managers, all other82,62090
Environmental engineers82,300130
Computer programmers80,77080
Sales engineers80,180 
Social and community service managers80,090120
Computer specialists, all other79,550 
Engineers, all other79,390 
Computer systems analysts78,020190
Social scientists and related workers, all other77,02070
Database administrators76,86050
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists76,35030
Conservation scientists75,77030
Diagnostic medical sonographers73,91040
Architects, except landscape and naval73,590110
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers73,480300
Civil engineers73,150810
Computer software engineers, applications72,2902,520
Registered nurses71,9501,490

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