Seattle Employment

Employment and Industries in the Seattle, Washington Area

Located in the Pacific Northwest of the United States on Puget Sound, the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett metropolitan area has a thriving and diverse economy. There are fifteen Fortune 1000 company headquarters in the state of Washington, fourteen of them are in the Seattle metropolitan area. Nine of the companies in the Seattle area are on the Fortune 500. The largest company headquartered in the Seattle area is Costco. The most famous are probably Amazon.com, Microsoft, and Starbucks.

Aircraft manufacturer Boeing used to be based in Seattle, and although it moved its company headquarters to Chicago, its largest division is still located in Bellevue, and it continues to be a major force in the Seattle area economy. Boeing has Seattle area aircraft manufacturing plants in Everett and Renton, and is one of the largest employers in the Seattle area.

In its 2006 list of "Best Cities for Doing Business" in the United States, Inc. magazine ranked the Seattle area twenty-eighth in the large cities category. The criteria used in the compiling the Inc. list emphasizes regional growth. Seattle also fared well in on Forbes magazine's 2005 list of "Best Places For Business and Careers". Forbes ranked Seattle seventy-third out of the 150 largest metropolitan areas. Expansion Management magazine ranked Seattle seventeenth on its 2006 list of "America's 50 Hottest Cities". Seattle also achieved a "5-Star Business Opportunity Metro" ranking from Expansion Management’s 2005 Mayor’s Challenge ranking of the "Top Business Opportunity Metros." Ranking criteria include business climate, transportation and logistics infrastructure, quality of life, public education, and other areas important to corporate site selectors.

Helping to fuel the economy of the Seattle area is one of the most highly educated work forces in the United States. In 2005, researchers at Central Connecticut State University ranked Seattle the most literate city in America. According to the United States Census Bureau, Seattle has the highest percentage of college graduates of any major U.S. city. 51.3 percent of Seattle's 25-and-over population has a bachelor's degree or higher. Forbes Magazine in its 2005 list of "Best Places For Business and Careers", ranked Seattle 10th of the 150 largest metropolitan areas in educational attainment.

Major industries in the Seattle area include aerospace, forest products, the military, and the shipping industry. While these are the traditional foundation of the Seattle economy, emerging industries include software, retail, biotechnology, tourism, Internet services, and telecommunications.

High technology and software are a major force in the Seattle area economy. According to the Seattle government site, the Seattle area ranks fifth in the United States for software jobs as a percentage of total population. There are about 6,000 software related companies in the region who employ over 65,000 people.

The United States Military is also one of the largest employers in the Seattle/Puget Sound region. Major facilities in the region include an Army base, an air force base, two navy bases, and a Naval shipyard.

Another major influence on the area's economy is the Port of Seattle. The port is an excellent deep-water harbor in the center of the Puget Sound basin. It is the fifth largest container port in the United States, and the thirty-seventh largest in the world as of 2005. Port of Seattle facilities (largely the port and the Seattle Tacoma International Airport) have a huge economic impact. Port facilities and businesses supporting those facilities account for nearly 200,000 jobs in the Puget Sound region.

For the business traveler, the Seattle area is served by the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), or Sea-Tac. In 2005, Sea-Tac was ranked as the seventh busiest airport in the United States and thirtieth busiest airport in the world.

Notable companies in the Seattle area include:

  • Alaska Air Group
  • Amazon.com
  • Costco Wholesale
  • Expeditors Intl. of Washington
  • Microsoft
  • Nextel Partners
  • Nintendo of America
  • Nordstrom
  • Paccar
  • Plum Creek Timber
  • Potlatch
  • Puget Energy
  • Safeco
  • Starbucks
  • Washington Mutual

Major business organizations in the Seattle area include:

The Puget Sound Business Journal, and the "Business & Technology Section" of the Seattle Times are both good sources of information on business and economy in the Seattle area.

Jobs in Seattle

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations2020930$68,460$32.91100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations232540$48,180$23.1613.75
3Sales and Related Occupations189710$52,950$25.469.5
4Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations173210$36,140$17.388.7
5Business and Financial Operations Occupations164710$88,430$42.515.35
6Transportation and Material Moving Occupations158750$49,460$23.786.7
7Computer and Mathematical Occupations147800$121,380$58.363
8Management Occupations108100$140,660$67.626.35
9Production Occupations105380$52,360$25.175.6
10Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations101570$99,690$47.935.85
11Educational Instruction and Library Occupations97670$61,540$29.596
12Construction and Extraction Occupations96690$68,180$32.784.6
13Healthcare Support Occupations78820$38,240$18.382.85
14Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations75560$60,290$28.993.75
15Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers71940$134,090$64.470.65
16Retail Salespersons59680$37,950$18.242.7
17Architecture and Engineering Occupations52570$105,120$50.541.7
18Fast Food and Counter Workers50200$31,180$14.992.45
19Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations48270$39,010$18.753.6
20Personal Care and Service Occupations47570$41,710$20.054.65
21Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand42970$37,670$18.111.8
22Office Clerks, General38650$44,230$21.271.9
23Protective Service Occupations38250$61,730$29.682.2
24Customer Service Representatives37410$44,610$21.451.75
25Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations34940$66,590$32.021.8
26Cashiers34610$31,830$15.32.2
27Waiters and Waitresses33380$41,520$19.961.65
28Registered Nurses33180$90,730$43.621.95
29Home Health and Personal Care Aides32670$31,820$15.30
30Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other31590$87,040$41.850.7
31Community and Social Service Occupations27710$54,470$26.191.75
32General and Operations Managers27650$139,660$67.141.5
33Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners25160$38,830$18.671.5
34Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations23610$83,850$40.310.8
35Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products22680$78,960$37.960.85
36Accountants and Auditors22640$86,420$41.550.9
37Cooks, Restaurant19900$35,810$17.220.9
38Maintenance and Repair Workers, General19800$48,170$23.160.9
39Nursing Assistants19460$35,110$16.880.95
40Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists18790$94,410$45.390.45
41Management Analysts18280$109,940$52.850.55
42Stockers and Order Fillers18040$37,530$18.041.25
43First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers17970$73,050$35.120.95
44Construction Laborers17610$52,710$25.340.9
45Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks17390$48,790$23.461.05
46Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive17380$46,830$22.511.4
47Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers15970$53,060$25.511.2
48Legal Occupations15590$110,360$53.060.8
49Carpenters15460$68,400$32.880.6
50Receptionists and Information Clerks14880$36,890$17.740.7
51First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers14350$46,430$22.320.6
52First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers13540$55,700$26.780.95
53Computer User Support Specialists13130$65,890$31.680.4
54Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel12710$76,280$36.670.7
55Computer Systems Analysts12590$106,690$51.290.4
56Web Developers and Digital Interface Designers12510$138,600$66.640.1
57Security Guards12460$40,970$19.70.7
58Human Resources Specialists12160$81,880$39.370.4
59Buyers and Purchasing Agents11170$77,780$37.390.25
60Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators10670$39,110$18.80.8
61Computer and Information Systems Managers10560$171,230$82.320.3
62Light Truck Drivers10500$44,450$21.370.6
63Electricians10420$75,940$36.510.45
64Food Preparation Workers9950$33,180$15.950.5
65First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers9850$92,420$44.440.4
66Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers9580$40,170$19.310.75
67Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners9330$31,790$15.280.9
68Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity9250$43,380$20.850.3
69Lawyers8940$138,490$66.580.5
70Bartenders8820$42,450$20.410.4
71Financial Managers8790$150,650$72.430.4
72Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers8760$66,790$32.110.35
73Medical Assistants8570$47,140$22.660.45
74First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers8470$77,260$37.150.4
75Personal Service Managers, All Other; Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling; and Managers, All Other8270$133,940$64.390.7
76Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks8150$43,860$21.080.4
77Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks7800$52,640$25.310.2
78First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers7640$76,160$36.620.3
79Dishwashers7580$30,690$14.750.3
80Counter and Rental Clerks7500$38,210$18.370.3
81Substitute Teachers, Short-Term7460$44,370$21.330.4
82Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators7260$45,000$21.630.4
83Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education7210$36,270$17.440.3
84First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors7020$66,000$31.730.3
85Packers and Packagers, Hand6990$32,970$15.850.4
86Civil Engineers6870$96,640$46.460.2
87Financial and Investment Analysts, Financial Risk Specialists, and Financial Specialists, All Other6860$98,940$47.570.2
88Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products6720$97,960$47.10.2
89Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics6690$51,590$24.80.5
90Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors6610$60,490$29.080.2
91Cooks, Fast Food6380$31,260$15.030.3
92Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers6380$32,070$15.420.3
93Machinists6240$56,510$27.170.2
94Real Estate Sales Agents6230$68,250$32.810.2
95Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists6220$45,360$21.810.4
96Billing and Posting Clerks6090$48,360$23.250.3
97Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop6090$32,280$15.520.3
98Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric6050$241,440$116.080.3
99Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants5970$65,780$31.630.35
100Insurance Sales Agents5940$72,560$34.890.3
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
You are visiting:

Additional Details

Seattle Colleges
Seattle colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Seattle Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$68,4602,020,930
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$48,180232,540
Sales and Related Occupations$52,950189,710
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$36,140173,210
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$88,430164,710
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$49,460158,750
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$121,380147,800
Management Occupations$140,660108,100
Production Occupations$52,360105,380
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$99,690101,570
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$61,54097,670
Construction and Extraction Occupations$68,18096,690
Healthcare Support Occupations$38,24078,820
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$60,29075,560
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$134,09071,940
Retail Salespersons$37,95059,680
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$105,12052,570
Fast Food and Counter Workers$31,18050,200
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$39,01048,270
Personal Care and Service Occupations$41,71047,570
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$37,67042,970
Office Clerks, General$44,23038,650
Protective Service Occupations$61,73038,250
Customer Service Representatives$44,61037,410
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$66,59034,940
Cashiers$31,83034,610
Waiters and Waitresses$41,52033,380
Registered Nurses$90,73033,180
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$31,82032,670
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$87,04031,590
Community and Social Service Occupations$54,47027,710
General and Operations Managers$139,66027,650
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$38,83025,160
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$83,85023,610
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$78,96022,680
Accountants and Auditors$86,42022,640
Cooks, Restaurant$35,81019,900
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$48,17019,800
Nursing Assistants$35,11019,460
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$94,41018,790
Management Analysts$109,94018,280
Stockers and Order Fillers$37,53018,040
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$73,05017,970
Construction Laborers$52,71017,610
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$48,79017,390
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$46,83017,380
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$53,06015,970
Legal Occupations$110,36015,590
Carpenters$68,40015,460
Receptionists and Information Clerks$36,89014,880

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$68,4602,020,930
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$48,180232,540
Sales and Related Occupations$52,950189,710
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$36,140173,210
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$88,430164,710
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$49,460158,750
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$121,380147,800
Management Occupations$140,660108,100
Production Occupations$52,360105,380
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$99,690101,570
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$61,54097,670
Construction and Extraction Occupations$68,18096,690
Healthcare Support Occupations$38,24078,820
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$60,29075,560
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$134,09071,940
Retail Salespersons$37,95059,680
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$105,12052,570
Fast Food and Counter Workers$31,18050,200
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$39,01048,270
Personal Care and Service Occupations$41,71047,570
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$37,67042,970
Office Clerks, General$44,23038,650
Protective Service Occupations$61,73038,250
Customer Service Representatives$44,61037,410
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$66,59034,940
Cashiers$31,83034,610
Waiters and Waitresses$41,52033,380
Registered Nurses$90,73033,180
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$31,82032,670
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$87,04031,590
Community and Social Service Occupations$54,47027,710
General and Operations Managers$139,66027,650
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$38,83025,160
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$83,85023,610
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$78,96022,680
Accountants and Auditors$86,42022,640
Cooks, Restaurant$35,81019,900
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$48,17019,800
Nursing Assistants$35,11019,460
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$94,41018,790
Management Analysts$109,94018,280
Stockers and Order Fillers$37,53018,040
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$73,05017,970
Construction Laborers$52,71017,610
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$48,79017,390
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$46,83017,380
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$53,06015,970
Legal Occupations$110,36015,590
Carpenters$68,40015,460
Receptionists and Information Clerks$36,89014,880

Career and College Resources on CityTownInfo

Real-World Career Reports

Career Stories from workers: daily activities, job tips, best/worst job aspects, training, etc.
Daily Career & Education News from our staff. We're an approved Google News provider!

Career References and Original Articles

Resource Center. A starting point for all CityTownInfo career and college resources.
Career Overviews of hundreds of careers: descriptions, salaries, forecasts, schools, more.
Best Careers Not Requiring Degrees: Good pay, job growth, low need for degrees.
Helpful Articles, many in "how-to" format; e.g., "How to Become a Chef".
Infographics covering employment and educational trends.

College Directories and Lists

These lists link to thousands of detailed school profiles.

Colleges by State. Nearly every college and trade school in the country.
Colleges Listed Alphabetically. About 7,000 colleges & trade schools, including online schools.
Colleges by Major City. Browse cities with multiple college options.
Online Colleges. Colleges with online degree programs.
Graduate Schools by State. Colleges offering graduate degree programs.
Graduate Schools by Major City. Find cities with multiple graduate school options.