City Town Info

Olympia Employment

Employment and Industries in the Olympia, Washington Area

The tables here illustrate essential information about work and employment in the area. Information includes:

  • A table of the most numerous types of work found here, both for jobs generally requiring college degrees and jobs not requiring college degrees.
  • A table listing those careers significantly more common in Olympia than in other US cities; this is useful both for career planning and for understanding the nature of Olympia.
  • A list of the highest-paying jobs in Olympia.
  • A list of any large public companies in Olympia.

Most Popular Jobs in Olympia, Washington Metro Area (2006 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses1,48065,530$46,780 - 86,86024%56%
2Accountants and auditors1,42052,870$35,800 - 74,28018%79%
3Elementary school teachers, except special education85049,420$35,600 - 60,21014%95%
4Civil engineers73068,190$52,330 - 86,39018%87%
5Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other67058,530$37,680 - 82,50017%56%
6Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products65057,380$29,820 - 88,7708%51%
7Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education62047,290$31,430 - 60,49011%95%
8Teachers and instructors, all other62033,600$24,740 - 47,9909%54%
9Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education56049,450$37,160 - 61,2106%96%
10Lawyers53078,430$51,530 - 107,59011%99%
11Environmental scientists and specialists, including health50054,320$38,990 - 71,30025%93%
12Public relations specialists50058,440$38,700 - 85,17018%81%
13Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation48069,510$43,640 - 121,1705%58%
14Rehabilitation counselors38036,190$19,910 - 59,19023%73%
15Urban and regional planners36062,800$44,930 - 80,65015%92%
16Health educators30052,390$37,250 - 64,10026%58%
17Zoologists and wildlife biologists25061,390$44,450 - 80,6309%95%
18Financial managers25085,920$65,090 - 108,28013%60%
19Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists25049,570$39,400 - 63,83011%58%
20Coaches and scouts24032,510$18,690 - 54,29015%60%
21Management analysts24056,940$41,130 - 80,88022%78%
22Budget analysts23064,390$48,220 - 81,3707%78%
23Economists21063,850$52,530 - 80,9308%100%
24Social and human service assistants21027,550$20,020 - 38,33034%58%
25Occupational health and safety specialists21059,200$47,700 - 73,6708%72%
26Network and computer systems administrators20063,580$44,060 - 81,18027%50%
27Child, family, and school social workers20035,620$22,070 - 56,96019%77%
28Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors19038,140$26,620 - 50,39014%54%
29Managers, all other180110,080$69,410 - 07%55%
30Education administrators, elementary and secondary school18085,330$68,400 - 105,8808%78%
31Sales and related workers, all other18049,090$29,930 - 83,57014%62%
32Pharmacists18090,410$74,960 - 114,71022%97%
33Self-enrichment education teachers17040,330$26,710 - 55,69023%54%
34Educational, vocational, and school counselors17049,170$35,920 - 65,81013%73%
35Training and development specialists15048,840$24,980 - 76,54018%56%
36Librarians15052,940$36,440 - 67,8604%85%
37Community and social service specialists, all other15045,740$28,660 - 66,29025%58%
38Mental health counselors15040,630$30,000 - 56,27030%73%
39Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products15071,660$29,710 - 127,29012%51%
40Vocational education teachers, secondary school14051,950$39,320 - 63,5000%96%
41Instructional coordinators14064,870$44,590 - 86,76023%79%
42Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists13051,830$36,690 - 74,83018%56%
43Environmental engineers13070,960$59,560 - 81,60025%86%
44Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school13047,710$35,030 - 59,64020%87%
45Legislators12046,970$33,510 - 86,0501%65%
46Social scientists and related workers, all other12077,560$54,630 - 113,4005%90%
47Medical and public health social workers12047,000$31,110 - 65,48024%77%
48Chief executives120165,360$107,610 - 02%65%
49Foresters11055,870$43,470 - 66,3905%86%
50Education, training, and library workers, all other11044,470$27,390 - 61,99011%79%
51Speech-language pathologists11060,290$43,870 - 78,85011%98%
52Physical therapists11068,560$53,470 - 87,08027%89%
53Computer and information systems managers11090,330$66,670 - 121,10016%73%
54Biological technicians11034,090$25,580 - 43,20016%60%
55Social and community service managers10076,390$51,580 - 98,39025%72%
56Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists100 $0 - 018%56%
57Sales managers10098,520$41,270 - 010%69%
58Medical and health services managers100107,760$76,480 - 016%57%
59Insurance underwriters9042,210$33,230 - 50,8406%53%
60Graphic designers9042,050$30,370 - 54,80010%55%
61Engineering managers9097,980$85,210 - 119,6807%84%
62Advertising sales agents8048,610$20,910 - 85,57020%56%
63Market research analysts8058,710$38,700 - 80,31020%82%
64Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists8061,100$48,560 - 78,42016%99%
65Special education teachers, secondary school7048,470$37,790 - 60,2309%87%
66Database administrators7065,000$43,000 - 90,77029%72%
67Hydrologists7071,040$54,670 - 89,75024%93%
68Biological scientists, all other7064,780$45,310 - 81,1704%95%
69Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors7036,200$26,400 - 55,02034%73%
70Natural sciences managers7095,080$72,710 - 124,63011%93%
71Education administrators, postsecondary7066,380$47,350 - 89,59014%78%
72Architects, except landscape and naval6076,720$58,310 - 91,66018%88%
73Occupational therapists6055,620$39,650 - 72,16023%90%
74Financial analysts6088,770$48,750 - 131,62034%87%
75Veterinarians6067,230$51,990 - 83,97035%100%
76Financial specialists, all other6055,090$31,890 - 78,20012%50%
77Personal financial advisors6080,690$46,440 - 041%81%
78Surveyors5058,820$42,110 - 76,29024%82%
79Mental health and substance abuse social workers5040,090$28,970 - 56,44030%77%
80Network systems and data communications analysts5064,850$44,460 - 81,49053%57%
81Chemists5064,980$34,100 - 98,2509%93%
82Merchandise displayers and window trimmers5027,740$19,070 - 40,70011%55%
83Public relations managers5097,900$53,740 - 017%75%
84Special education teachers, middle school4049,010$37,780 - 59,74016%87%
85Cartographers and photogrammetrists4058,300$44,310 - 73,59020%82%
86Human resources managers, all other4088,450$57,720 - 107,74011%58%
87Engineers, all other3060,860$28,310 - 81,6806%82%
88Floral designers3028,450$18,040 - 40,4400%55%
89Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates3098,410$57,910 - 05%99%
90Credit analysts3052,880$36,840 - 78,1002%60%
91Electrical engineers3069,190$50,610 - 88,5506%81%
92Mechanical engineers3069,730$44,410 - 96,2704%78%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Office clerks, general3,27027,960$20,510 - 36,15013%19%
2Cashiers2,70023,620$16,560 - 37,350-2%10%
3Retail salespersons2,62025,870$16,960 - 41,35012%25%
4Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food2,19019,100$16,270 - 24,28018%5%
5Business operations specialists, all other1,91064,750$46,530 - 82,08021%49%
6Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,67033,630$25,630 - 40,4701%18%
7Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,42031,510$21,460 - 44,73013%16%
8Waiters and waitresses1,39023,520$16,640 - 32,17011%14%
9Teacher assistants1,36025,190$19,150 - 29,64010%18%
10Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand1,34024,240$17,980 - 34,7302%5%
11Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,22024,650$16,870 - 34,69015%4%
12First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers1,14047,890$29,390 - 66,7106%29%
13Stock clerks and order fillers1,05025,240$16,710 - 38,980-7%8%
14Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer97039,430$27,830 - 50,71010%4%
15Executive secretaries and administrative assistants96047,120$32,290 - 69,56015%18%
16Maintenance and repair workers, general89033,130$20,440 - 48,75010%6%
17Construction laborers82034,130$19,440 - 57,53011%5%
18Receptionists and information clerks76022,690$17,060 - 29,72017%13%
19Carpenters70040,460$23,600 - 64,71010%6%
20Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators70051,520$36,860 - 64,2509%47%
21Computer support specialists68040,930$29,060 - 50,90013%43%
22First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers67043,010$26,230 - 63,6504%25%
23Cooks, restaurant67022,110$17,360 - 30,16012%5%
24Medical secretaries62034,420$24,980 - 45,88017%18%
25Industrial truck and tractor operators61032,260$22,570 - 43,240-1%2%
26Landscaping and groundskeeping workers57022,910$17,520 - 31,51018%6%
27Truck drivers, light or delivery services55027,620$18,970 - 36,7408%4%
28Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants52023,300$18,190 - 31,07018%7%
29Counter and rental clerks49026,230$16,680 - 37,28023%16%
30Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop48019,950$16,240 - 27,08010%8%
31Tellers47024,320$19,170 - 31,57014%16%
32Child care workers45018,300$16,110 - 21,87018%15%
33First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers43032,570$22,870 - 44,39011%14%
34Legal support workers, all other43060,310$37,660 - 86,4305%38%
35General and operations managers430103,850$56,260 - [?]2%48%
36Bus drivers, school41031,090$25,890 - 35,8809%4%
37Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses41038,210$29,800 - 48,10014%7%
38Dishwashers40017,830$16,010 - 19,99010%3%
39Home health aides40019,340$16,580 - 22,59049%7%
40Billing and posting clerks and machine operators40030,160$21,550 - 39,8404%15%
41Bartenders38023,710$16,680 - 30,89011%17%
42Tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents38048,450$34,470 - 64,7702%43%
43Cooks, fast food37018,040$16,160 - 20,0208%5%
44Food preparation workers35021,540$16,580 - 28,35015%7%
45Medical assistants34029,110$24,350 - 35,63035%10%
46Maids and housekeeping cleaners34021,110$16,440 - 28,41013%5%
47Office and administrative support workers, all other34029,050$18,630 - 42,730-8%32%
48Personal and home care aides33022,550$18,900 - 27,98051%10%
49Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists33026,810$17,390 - 40,63012%6%
50Electricians32052,090$30,110 - 76,0507%7%
51Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators32049,940$32,060 - 77,8908%3%
52Dental assistants31035,340$28,360 - 44,26029%9%
53Packers and packagers, hand31020,910$16,110 - 36,870-11%3%
54Bill and account collectors30039,300$27,870 - 50,99023%13%
55Gaming dealers30028,480$16,790 - 43,13024%11%
56Painters, construction and maintenance29031,180$19,690 - 46,75012%6%
57Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers29018,060$15,870 - 21,40012%6%
58Legal secretaries28036,210$31,490 - 41,22012%18%
59Correctional officers and jailers28039,820$28,460 - 53,63017%11%
60Police and sheriff's patrol officers27061,270$49,730 - 73,81011%33%
61Automotive service technicians and mechanics27044,200$26,060 - 71,43014%4%
62Team assemblers27024,640$19,210 - 31,5500%5%
63Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop27017,550$16,040 - 19,28010%17%
64Interviewers, except eligibility and loan26026,130$17,940 - 35,35010%24%
65First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers26057,970$41,580 - 86,0709%10%
66Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks24026,860$18,710 - 39,3404%6%
67Loan officers24071,760$32,300 - 131,68012%49%
68Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products23052,830$36,740 - 72,1100%42%
69First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers23049,860$30,840 - 69,340-4%15%
70Recreation workers23023,170$16,740 - 35,46013%47%
71Dental hygienists22086,190$78,060 - 96,57030%33%
72First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers22056,360$38,450 - 78,6307%13%
73Postal service mail carriers22044,060$34,980 - 52,5801%11%
74Civil engineering technicians22045,150$33,120 - 56,70010%18%
75New accounts clerks22028,300$21,980 - 35,520-15%28%
76Parts salespersons21028,380$17,290 - 40,390-1%6%
77Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors20037,750$16,850 - 77,31027%47%
78Fire fighters19053,210$22,110 - 70,72012%18%
79Service station attendants18023,840$17,160 - 31,67013%6%
80Radiologic technologists and technicians18049,620$35,170 - 68,96015%25%
81Sheet metal workers18063,010$37,090 - 78,7007%4%
82Preschool teachers, except special education18026,830$18,460 - 40,49026%43%
83Sales representatives, services, all other18043,930$24,500 - 58,81028%48%
84Amusement and recreation attendants18019,760$16,360 - 25,61024%22%
85Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists17043,760$33,480 - 55,67012%3%
86First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers17076,160$43,360 - 140,1304%38%
87Cooks, institution and cafeteria16028,510$19,310 - 40,57011%5%
88Insurance sales agents16046,400$29,380 - 59,28013%45%
89Roofers16029,460$18,870 - 43,48014%3%
90Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse16021,640$16,530 - 28,080-2%4%
91First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators16055,430$33,100 - 81,83010%17%
92Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers16048,710$32,510 - 68,3009%3%
93Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance15031,090$17,740 - 46,0502%11%
94File clerks15020,940$16,200 - 27,510-40%20%
95Cleaners of vehicles and equipment15023,400$16,340 - 37,94014%3%
96Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping15036,060$30,100 - 43,14011%29%
97Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders14025,670$16,720 - 40,370-4%5%
98Medical transcriptionists14034,560$28,550 - 43,52014%10%
99All other information and record clerks14040,430$23,310 - 62,430-12%21%
100Drywall and ceiling tile installers14044,330$30,980 - 67,3907%2%
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Jobs More Common Near Olympia Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Foresters55,87011086.5
Zoologists and wildlife biologists61,39025045.4
Economists63,85021029
Forest and conservation technicians39,21010021.8
Legal support workers, all other60,31043020.1
Urban and regional planners62,80036019.9
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health54,32050010.5
Health educators52,3903009
Tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents48,4503808.8
Occupational health and safety specialists59,2002108.6
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists49,5702507.9
Gaming dealers28,4803007.5
Social scientists and related workers, all other77,5601207.3
Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors38,1401907
Budget analysts64,3902306.4
Rehabilitation counselors36,1903805.5
Legislators46,9701205.4
Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other58,5306704.8
New accounts clerks28,3002204.8
Civil engineers68,1907304.5
Tapers39,1601104.3
Environmental engineers70,9601304.2
Civil engineering technicians45,1502204.2
Service station attendants23,8401803.8
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators51,5207003.7
Vocational education teachers, secondary school51,9501403.5
Education, training, and library workers, all other44,4701103.5
Public relations specialists58,4405003.5
Vocational education teachers, postsecondary52,8201703.3
Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation69,5104803.2
Biological technicians34,0901103.2
Appraisers and assessors of real estate53,9601003
Mental health counselors40,6301502.9
Business operations specialists, all other64,7501,9102.9
Medical transcriptionists34,5601402.9
Coaches and scouts32,5102402.8
Community and social service specialists, all other45,7401502.8
Medical secretaries34,4206202.4
Teachers and instructors, all other33,6006202.3
Correctional officers and jailers39,8202802.1
Roofers29,4601602.1
Dental hygienists86,1902202.1
Eligibility interviewers, government programs43,7401002
Instructional coordinators64,8701402
Interviewers, except eligibility and loan26,1302602
Office and administrative support workers, all other29,0503401.9
Computer support specialists40,9306801.9
Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists51,8301301.9
Accountants and auditors52,8701,4201.9
Teacher assistants25,1901,3601.9

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Olympia, Washington Metro Area (2006 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Sheet metal workers63,0101.58180
Gaming dealers28,4801.47300
Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation69,5101.46480
Dental hygienists86,1901.45220
Waiters and waitresses23,5201.431,390
Managers, all other110,0801.42180
Police and sheriff's patrol officers61,2701.38270
Bakers31,2801.37110
Bill and account collectors39,3001.35300
Legal support workers, all other60,3101.35430
Bartenders23,7101.35380
Cashiers23,6201.352,700
Legislators46,9701.34120
Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors37,7501.34200
Fire fighters53,2101.33190
All other information and record clerks40,4301.31140
Cooks, institution and cafeteria28,5101.31160
Executive secretaries and administrative assistants47,1201.31960
Sales and related workers, all other49,0901.29180
Automotive service technicians and mechanics44,2001.27270
Community and social service specialists, all other45,7401.26150
Loan officers71,7601.26240
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers48,7101.26160
Service station attendants23,8401.26180
Bus drivers, school31,0901.25410
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators49,9401.25320
Medical secretaries34,4201.25620
Pharmacy technicians32,4201.24140
Public relations specialists58,4401.23500
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop19,9501.23480
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive33,6301.221,670
Medical records and health information technicians35,4201.22110
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food19,1001.212,190
Social scientists and related workers, all other77,5601.21120
Teacher assistants25,1901.211,360
Health educators52,3901.21300
Chief executives165,3601.21120
Drywall and ceiling tile installers44,3301.2140
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment23,4001.2150
Food preparation workers21,5401.2350
Personal and home care aides22,5501.2330
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists49,5701.2250
Maids and housekeeping cleaners21,1101.19340
Counter and rental clerks26,2301.19490
Electricians52,0901.19320
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists43,7601.19170
Business operations specialists, all other64,7501.181,910
Construction laborers34,1301.18820
Dental assistants35,3401.18310
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists26,8101.18330

Highest Paying Jobs in Olympia, Washington Metro Area (2006 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Physicians and surgeons, all other170,60030
Dentists, general170,230 
Chief executives165,360120
Family and general practitioners138,08060
Psychiatrists132,670 
Marketing managers117,960 
Managers, all other110,080180
Medical and health services managers107,760100
Construction managers105,53060
General and operations managers103,850430
Sales managers98,520100
Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates98,41030
Engineering managers97,98090
Public relations managers97,90050
Natural sciences managers95,08070
Pharmacists90,410180
Computer and information systems managers90,330110
Financial analysts88,77060
Human resources managers, all other88,45040
Administrative services managers86,670100
Dental hygienists86,190220
Financial managers85,920250
Computer specialists, all other85,710 
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school85,330180
Industrial production managers80,85040
Personal financial advisors80,69060
Lawyers78,430530
Social scientists and related workers, all other77,560120
Architects, except landscape and naval76,72060
Social and community service managers76,390100
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers76,160170
Computer software engineers, systems software73,900 
Physician assistants72,360 
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives72,20080
Loan officers71,760240
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products71,660150
Hydrologists71,04070
Environmental engineers70,960130
Computer systems analysts70,440 
Mechanical engineers69,73030
Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation69,510480
Electrical engineers69,19030
First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers68,63060
Physical therapists68,560110
Civil engineers68,190730
Massage therapists67,98090
Computer science teachers, postsecondary67,780 
Veterinarians67,23060
Computer programmers66,780 
Education administrators, postsecondary66,38070

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