City Town Info

Yakima Employment

Employment and Industries in the Yakima, 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 Yakima than in other US cities; this is useful both for career planning and for understanding the nature of Yakima.
  • A list of the highest-paying jobs in Yakima.
  • A list of any large public companies in Yakima.

Most Popular Jobs in Yakima, 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
1Registered nurses1,72062,840$44,970 - 83,79024%56%
2Elementary school teachers, except special education1,42053,830$37,600 - 73,43014%95%
3Teachers and instructors, all other80037,850$31,480 - 44,2509%54%
4Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education71054,080$38,800 - 73,00011%95%
5Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products65051,490$29,430 - 77,9808%51%
6Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education56054,540$37,890 - 72,7706%96%
7Accountants and auditors39066,540$43,420 - 96,00018%79%
8Social and human service assistants38027,500$19,250 - 38,45034%58%
9Mental health counselors35037,990$27,760 - 51,52030%73%
10Coaches and scouts24035,050$20,710 - 58,79015%60%
11Education administrators, elementary and secondary school22091,770$73,680 - 112,8508%78%
12Rehabilitation counselors21051,940$34,100 - 69,53023%73%
13Educational, vocational, and school counselors21053,930$36,400 - 76,28013%73%
14Financial managers18080,540$53,300 - 121,17013%60%
15Child, family, and school social workers18050,560$37,290 - 63,39019%77%
16Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other16050,430$36,290 - 67,26017%56%
17Civil engineers16065,070$52,240 - 83,05018%87%
18Pharmacists14097,170$73,600 - 124,32022%97%
19Self-enrichment education teachers14035,030$20,700 - 54,65023%54%
20Vocational education teachers, secondary school12058,030$42,150 - 77,5900%96%
21Environmental scientists and specialists, including health12051,260$36,800 - 68,23025%93%
22Lawyers12081,320$45,620 - 128,81011%99%
23Network and computer systems administrators11064,980$46,460 - 82,71027%50%
24Sales managers110102,180$48,560 - 163,87010%69%
25Social and community service managers10064,090$36,820 - 111,82025%72%
26Medical and health services managers100104,150$43,470 - 16%57%
27Physical therapists9073,560$55,810 - 103,32027%89%
28Floral designers9024,780$18,870 - 31,7300%55%
29Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation8052,680$34,220 - 77,2405%58%
30Instructional coordinators8066,830$29,390 - 102,58023%79%
31Education, training, and library workers, all other8042,780$28,660 - 64,33011%79%
32Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products8080,200$42,670 - 125,29012%51%
33Public relations specialists8052,300$29,980 - 76,06018%81%
34Librarians7057,270$41,940 - 73,7404%85%
35Occupational health and safety specialists7066,970$44,640 - 95,2208%72%
36Mental health and substance abuse social workers7032,640$21,300 - 49,14030%77%
37Advertising sales agents7059,980$23,620 - 99,26020%56%
38Computer systems analysts7075,830$46,500 - 106,91029%68%
39Sales and related workers, all other7043,470$19,170 - 66,51014%62%
40Medical and clinical laboratory technologists6057,390$44,580 - 75,29012%51%
41Medical and clinical laboratory technicians6037,620$26,870 - 49,97015%51%
42Managers, all other6092,620$46,020 - 133,6907%55%
43Speech-language pathologists6063,080$44,050 - 88,17011%98%
44Medical and public health social workers6046,690$29,480 - 64,01024%77%
45Dentists, general60206,460$106,290 - 9%100%
46Physician assistants6079,870$67,090 - 101,37027%67%
47Urban and regional planners6054,910$38,720 - 74,63015%92%
48Special education teachers, middle school5054,560$39,920 - 68,83016%87%
49Health educators5044,360$30,300 - 60,93026%58%
50Biological technicians5035,740$22,000 - 56,61016%60%
51Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists5041,100$26,360 - 63,08018%56%
52Reporters and correspondents5035,190$21,900 - 49,8801%85%
53Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school5049,720$35,240 - 64,10020%87%
54Legislators4040,050$20,560 - 77,4201%65%
55Financial specialists, all other4044,780$33,690 - 61,89012%50%
56Market research analysts4060,040$38,540 - 83,20020%82%
57Management analysts4057,850$43,630 - 75,69022%78%
58Graphic designers4031,600$21,760 - 40,81010%55%
59Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists4061,860$48,960 - 77,56016%99%
60Chief executives40135,430$83,210 - 2%65%
61Occupational therapists3073,660$53,950 - 99,17023%90%
62Marketing managers3095,800$60,160 - 131,85014%69%
63Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists3058,000$42,820 - 77,23018%56%
64Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates30100,170$70,500 - 138,1705%99%
65Budget analysts3051,420$39,730 - 64,0007%78%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food2,35020,470$17,050 - 26,71018%5%
2Retail salespersons2,24027,190$17,870 - 43,28012%25%
3Packers and packagers, hand2,21021,650$17,410 - 29,690-11%3%
4Cashiers2,17020,760$17,360 - 25,810-2%10%
5Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand2,00023,240$17,600 - 34,2102%5%
6Office clerks, general1,83027,010$18,990 - 36,42013%19%
7Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,73033,780$23,410 - 46,53013%16%
8Teacher assistants1,54026,980$21,700 - 32,07010%18%
9Waiters and waitresses1,41023,710$17,380 - 32,05011%14%
10Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,32025,630$17,940 - 35,86015%4%
11Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer1,32038,580$24,210 - 50,83010%4%
12Stock clerks and order fillers1,28023,920$17,860 - 32,820-7%8%
13Graders and sorters, agricultural products1,19020,190$17,290 - 24,630-1%0%
14Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive1,05031,430$21,770 - 40,4201%18%
15Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants1,00022,820$18,160 - 28,94018%7%
16Industrial truck and tractor operators89028,550$19,530 - 40,980-1%2%
17Maintenance and repair workers, general84034,390$22,180 - 48,18010%6%
18Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse77020,480$17,220 - 25,280-2%4%
19Maids and housekeeping cleaners70020,460$17,290 - 25,31013%5%
20Construction laborers67033,310$20,830 - 52,07011%5%
21First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers66046,000$25,160 - 67,5406%29%
22Receptionists and information clerks65023,850$18,160 - 31,60017%13%
23First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers64043,170$23,170 - 71,6504%25%
24Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders56026,130$18,230 - 36,910-4%5%
25Team assemblers56025,610$18,140 - 35,6200%5%
26Cooks, restaurant54022,590$17,860 - 28,92012%5%
27Food preparation workers53021,520$17,470 - 29,33015%7%
28Child care workers53020,310$17,420 - 24,51018%15%
29Truck drivers, light or delivery services53028,170$18,280 - 41,4808%4%
30Butchers and meat cutters52023,860$17,930 - 35,3802%2%
31First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers48049,240$31,970 - 71,080-4%15%
32Medical secretaries47030,660$22,500 - 41,77017%18%
33General and operations managers450106,910$60,880 - 2%48%
34Customer service representatives45028,730$18,380 - 41,45025%22%
35Helpers--production workers44022,390$17,620 - 30,3600%4%
36Counter and rental clerks44027,880$18,420 - 38,66023%16%
37Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers43025,700$17,930 - 39,670-6%14%
38Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic42027,190$21,280 - 40,820-6%0%
39Automotive service technicians and mechanics40035,560$22,460 - 53,27014%4%
40Security guards40025,500$17,410 - 41,03017%13%
41Carpenters39044,240$22,680 - 69,05010%6%
42First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers38033,630$21,350 - 51,60011%14%
43Tellers37023,860$18,350 - 32,16014%16%
44Cooks, fast food36018,820$17,050 - 20,0208%5%
45Medical assistants35032,040$22,190 - 46,41035%10%
46Bus drivers, school35032,220$25,780 - 39,6309%4%
47Business operations specialists, all other33064,410$37,760 - 89,82021%49%
48Cleaners of vehicles and equipment33021,410$17,570 - 28,19014%3%
49Landscaping and groundskeeping workers33028,920$19,000 - 40,36018%6%
50Driver/sales workers32031,680$22,840 - 45,290-4%4%
51Billing and posting clerks and machine operators31030,460$21,830 - 39,9604%15%
52Industrial machinery mechanics30042,330$29,300 - 53,7109%5%
53Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses30042,560$33,660 - 51,34014%7%
54Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters28047,360$27,650 - 72,47011%4%
55Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop28018,980$17,360 - 20,66010%8%
56Preschool teachers, except special education27025,730$17,890 - 33,82026%43%
57Office and administrative support workers, all other27027,710$21,330 - 37,750-8%32%
58Police and sheriff's patrol officers27062,950$38,950 - 91,46011%33%
59Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks27030,690$20,980 - 43,7004%6%
60Medical records and health information technicians27031,240$21,620 - 42,51018%12%
61Parts salespersons26030,530$20,430 - 47,540-1%6%
62Dishwashers25018,890$17,090 - 20,74010%3%
63First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers25060,360$37,300 - 81,1209%10%
64Painters, construction and maintenance24036,120$23,080 - 55,49012%6%
65Dental assistants24032,920$21,280 - 41,75029%9%
66Bartenders24024,910$17,150 - 32,44011%17%
67Cooks, institution and cafeteria24025,940$18,360 - 33,32011%5%
68Fire fighters24045,190$19,260 - 73,60012%18%
69Electricians22056,030$34,210 - 79,9707%7%
70Computer support specialists22040,090$25,450 - 53,00013%43%
71First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers22059,390$39,710 - 79,8807%13%
72Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers21033,910$23,100 - 48,0805%2%
73Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers20020,040$17,180 - 24,66012%6%
74Production workers, all other20023,440$16,940 - 44,3102%5%
75Postal service mail carriers200 1%11%
76Machinists20039,740$25,200 - 55,340-2%3%
77First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand19038,590$21,770 - 55,00013%17%
78Drywall and ceiling tile installers19042,350$27,260 - 61,6207%2%
79Paralegals and legal assistants19036,950$23,300 - 56,12022%45%
80Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks18019,980$17,330 - 24,22017%14%
81Executive secretaries and administrative assistants18041,210$27,580 - 59,87015%18%
82Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers18020,600$17,350 - 26,79017%18%
83Pharmacy technicians18033,300$24,140 - 40,79032%16%
84Vocational education teachers, postsecondary17033,830$24,130 - 52,9800%0%
85Dental hygienists17083,510$67,710 - 105,32030%33%
86Assemblers and fabricators, all other17021,810$17,650 - 25,980-8%5%
87Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers16022,810$17,750 - 30,68012%0%
88Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other16035,270$21,820 - 57,5608%9%
89Cement masons and concrete finishers16035,550$24,460 - 51,07011%2%
90Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators16045,340$28,400 - 65,1208%3%
91Interviewers, except eligibility and loan15030,670$22,790 - 40,73010%24%
92Healthcare support workers, all other15029,650$19,700 - 39,49016%10%
93Insurance claims and policy processing clerks15035,100$27,050 - 41,9700%22%
94Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists14040,330$26,780 - 53,13012%3%
95Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop14019,910$17,090 - 22,33010%17%
96Payroll and timekeeping clerks14034,710$22,940 - 48,8703%18%
97Demonstrators and product promoters14018,920$17,230 - 19,96018%26%
98Agricultural inspectors13040,270$26,490 - 63,1900%26%
99Taxi drivers and chauffeurs13025,150$18,070 - 31,54013%15%
100Bill and account collectors13036,630$19,480 - 54,50023%13%
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Jobs More Common Near Yakima Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Graders and sorters, agricultural products20,1901,190113.7
Agricultural inspectors40,27013061.7
Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic27,19042011
Food cooking machine operators and tenders25,2801309.6
Butchers and meat cutters23,8605208.4
Mental health counselors37,9903506.6
Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse20,4807705.8
Packers and packagers, hand21,6502,2105.4
Rehabilitation counselors51,9402104.1
Demonstrators and product promoters18,9201403.6
Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers20,6001803.4
Vocational education teachers, postsecondary33,8301703.2
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders26,1305603.2
Vocational education teachers, secondary school58,0301203.2
Teachers and instructors, all other37,8508003
Medical records and health information technicians31,2402703
Drywall and ceiling tile installers42,3501902.9
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health51,2601202.8
Industrial truck and tractor operators28,5508902.7
Coaches and scouts35,0502402.7
Teacher assistants26,9801,5402.4
Court, municipal, and license clerks38,1301102.3
Social and human service assistants27,5003802.2
Parts salespersons30,5302602.2
Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other35,2701602.2
Industrial machinery mechanics42,3303002.2
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education54,0807102.1
Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers22,8101602
Office and administrative support workers, all other27,7102702
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school91,7702202
Elementary school teachers, except special education53,8301,4201.9
First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand38,5901901.9
Roofers38,5701201.9
Medical secretaries30,6604701.9
Helpers--production workers22,3904401.8
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment21,4103301.8
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers25,7004301.8
Counter and rental clerks27,8804401.8
Dental hygienists83,5101701.8
Fire fighters45,1902401.7
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks33,7801,7301.7
Painters, construction and maintenance36,1202401.7
Production workers, all other23,4402001.7
Child care workers20,3105301.7
Educational, vocational, and school counselors53,9302101.6
Driver/sales workers31,6803201.6
Bus drivers, school32,2203501.6
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand23,2402,0001.6
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food20,4702,3501.6
Social and community service managers64,0901001.6

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Rehabilitation counselors51,9401.44210
Dental hygienists83,5101.31170
Police and sheriff's patrol officers62,9501.3270
Bartenders24,9101.28240
Waiters and waitresses23,7101.271,410
Child, family, and school social workers50,5601.24180
Bus drivers, school32,2201.23350
Teacher assistants26,9801.211,540
Driver/sales workers31,6801.21320
Counter and rental clerks27,8801.2440
Electricians56,0301.2220
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers28,9201.19330
Bill and account collectors36,6301.19130
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food20,4701.192,350
Pharmacy technicians33,3001.18180
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers23,4301.18120
Taxi drivers and chauffeurs25,1501.16130
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers20,0401.15200
Court, municipal, and license clerks38,1301.15110
Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers20,6001.14180
Medical assistants32,0401.14350
Carpenters44,2401.13390
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school91,7701.12220
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop19,9101.12140
Food preparation workers21,5201.12530
Cashiers20,7601.122,170
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners25,6301.121,320
Radiologic technologists and technicians57,1801.12130
Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping38,8901.12120
First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers43,1701.12640
Retail salespersons27,1901.112,240
Accountants and auditors66,5401.11390
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers33,6301.11380
General and operations managers106,9101.11450
Vocational education teachers, secondary school58,0301.11120
Drywall and ceiling tile installers42,3501.1190
Cooks, institution and cafeteria25,9401.1240
Dishwashers18,8901.1250
Business operations specialists, all other64,4101.09330
Roofers38,5701.09120
Cooks, fast food18,8201.08360
Interviewers, except eligibility and loan30,6701.08150
Elementary school teachers, except special education53,8301.081,420
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive31,4301.081,050
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks30,6901.08270
Machinists39,7401.08200
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses42,5601.08300
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education54,0801.07710
Fire fighters45,1901.07240
Construction laborers33,3101.07670

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

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Obstetricians and gynecologists209,84040
Dentists, general206,46060
Physicians and surgeons, all other191,72070
Internists, general181,27060
Chief executives135,43040
Family and general practitioners120,120 
General and operations managers106,910450
Medical and health services managers104,150100
Sales managers102,180110
Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates100,17030
Pharmacists97,170140
Marketing managers95,80030
Industrial production managers94,85090
Managers, all other92,62060
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school91,770220
Dental hygienists83,510170
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives82,59060
Lawyers81,320120
Financial managers80,540180
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products80,20080
Physician assistants79,87060
First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers79,09030
Diagnostic medical sonographers78,95030
Administrative services managers77,49060
Computer systems analysts75,83070
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers75,29060
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents74,330 
Loan officers73,70090
Occupational therapists73,66030
Physical therapists73,56090
Computer software engineers, applications72,590 
Architects, except landscape and naval70,920 
Occupational health and safety specialists66,97070
Instructional coordinators66,83080
Accountants and auditors66,540390
Civil engineers65,070160
Network and computer systems administrators64,980110
Business operations specialists, all other64,410330
Social and community service managers64,090100
Speech-language pathologists63,08060
Police and sheriff's patrol officers62,950270
Registered nurses62,8401,720
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists61,86040
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers61,540120
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers60,360250
Market research analysts60,04040
Advertising sales agents59,98070
Food service managers59,89070
Construction and building inspectors59,87040
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers59,390220

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