Spokane Employment

Employment and Industries in the Spokane, Washington Area

Natural resources have traditionally been the base of Spokane's economy. Spokane is a major hub for the mining and timber industries. However, the city now also includes biotech and high-tech industries. The healthcare industry has a significant role in the economy and is increasing in economic importance to the city. Spokane is also a prominent center for the service sectors. In addition, the Fortune 1000 company Potlatch Corporation is headquartered in Spokane.

The top manufacturing industries are metal refinery and fabrication, finished wood products and food processing. Agriculture is also important to the region's economy. The region also has numerous wineries and breweries.

Economic development emphasizes aerospace, manufacturing, information technology, health sciences, digital media and clean technology.

All of the branches of the U.S. armed forces are represented in the region. The area's largest military facility is the Fairchild Air Force Base which employs a large number of civilians. The military facilities have a substantial economic impact on the region.

The top employer's in the Spokane area:

  • Fairchild Air Force Base
  • Sacred Heart Medical Center
  • U.S. Federal Government
  • Spokane School District 81
  • State of Washington
  • Signature Genomic Laboratories
  • Agilent
  • Cisco
  • General Dynamics
  • Telect

The top nonagricultural employment sectors in Spokane, Washington:

  • Transportation, trade and public utilities
  • Government
  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • Professional and business services
  • Leisure and hospitality
  • Manufacturing

Details about Spokane, Washington: Estimated median household income in 2007: $39,000. The cost of living index in 2008: 85.0 (national average: 100). The adult population which has achieved a bachelor's degree or higher: 25%.

Local companies are invited to work with organizations including:

The Spokane Journal of Business provides details about local business and industry activities.

Jobs in Spokane

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations240280$51,120$24.58100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations31500$41,150$19.7813.75
3Sales and Related Occupations25100$41,390$19.99.5
4Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations21540$30,530$14.688.7
5Transportation and Material Moving Occupations18500$40,590$19.516.7
6Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations14930$89,040$42.815.85
7Educational Instruction and Library Occupations14800$55,410$26.646
8Healthcare Support Occupations14600$33,340$16.032.85
9Production Occupations13430$42,830$20.595.6
10Business and Financial Operations Occupations13070$67,590$32.55.35
11Construction and Extraction Occupations11120$52,810$25.394.6
12Management Occupations10190$112,140$53.916.35
13Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations10120$51,320$24.673.75
14Retail Salespersons9740$31,410$15.12.7
15Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations8730$34,490$16.583.6
16Fast Food and Counter Workers8130$27,040$132.45
17Home Health and Personal Care Aides7620$29,810$14.330
18Protective Service Occupations5720$54,400$26.152.2
19Office Clerks, General5640$37,600$18.081.9
20Community and Social Service Occupations5460$50,820$24.431.75
21Personal Care and Service Occupations5410$37,070$17.824.65
22Computer and Mathematical Occupations5200$75,280$36.193
23Registered Nurses5090$80,070$38.51.95
24Cashiers4720$29,030$13.962.2
25Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners4430$34,080$16.381.5
26Customer Service Representatives4350$38,630$18.571.75
27Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand4150$34,070$16.381.8
28Waiters and Waitresses3910$33,790$16.251.65
29Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations3680$47,300$22.741.8
30Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers3230$50,440$24.251.2
31General and Operations Managers3070$111,130$53.431.5
32Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive2940$39,280$18.891.4
33Stockers and Order Fillers2940$33,340$16.031.25
34Architecture and Engineering Occupations2880$77,340$37.181.7
35Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks2840$42,080$20.231.05
36Nursing Assistants2570$31,990$15.380.95
37Accountants and Auditors2360$72,350$34.780.9
38First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers2300$61,250$29.450.95
39Maintenance and Repair Workers, General2290$42,240$20.310.9
40Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products2270$71,730$34.480.85
41Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other2190$68,290$32.830.7
42First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers2180$44,270$21.290.95
43Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations2180$72,340$34.780.8
44Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers2160$34,560$16.610.75
45Construction Laborers2140$44,370$21.330.9
46Cooks, Restaurant2130$31,230$15.020.9
47Receptionists and Information Clerks1980$32,000$15.380.7
48Security Guards1920$33,340$16.030.7
49Light Truck Drivers1840$40,400$19.420.6
50First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1770$39,160$18.830.6
51Legal Occupations1670$82,110$39.480.8
52Medical Assistants1510$37,530$18.050.45
53Carpenters1440$50,110$24.090.6
54Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners1360$26,680$12.830.9
55Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics1310$48,990$23.550.5
56Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators1280$34,900$16.780.8
57Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity1280$38,570$18.540.3
58Substitute Teachers, Short-Term1270$35,350$170.4
59Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel1230$56,490$27.160.7
60Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers1210$89,390$42.980.65
61Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors1180$50,530$24.290.2
62Electricians1130$57,490$27.640.45
63Computer User Support Specialists1110$48,090$23.120.4
64First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers1110$62,490$30.040.4
65First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers1040$69,790$33.550.4
66Tellers1040$34,720$16.690.25
67Insurance Sales Agents1030$59,080$28.410.3
68Dishwashers1010$26,580$12.780.3
69Billing and Posting Clerks1000$39,180$18.840.3
70Counter and Rental Clerks990$37,240$17.90.3
71Dental Assistants990$42,570$20.470.2
72Human Resources Specialists940$58,500$28.130.4
73Lawyers940$97,980$47.110.5
74Bartenders920$32,400$15.580.4
75Food Preparation Workers900$30,460$14.650.5
76Loan Officers880$63,550$30.550.2
77Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education870$33,330$16.030.3
78Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks870$37,670$18.110.4
79Child, Family, and School Social Workers860$54,380$26.140.2
80Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists860$37,290$17.930.4
81Machinists860$42,150$20.270.2
82Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants860$38,220$18.380.4
83Social and Human Service Assistants860$37,870$18.20.3
84Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists850$56,770$27.290.45
85Buyers and Purchasing Agents830$55,580$26.720.25
86Management Analysts820$86,850$41.760.55
87Packers and Packagers, Hand810$35,750$17.190.4
88Driver/Sales Workers790$38,080$18.310.3
89Financial Managers770$122,330$58.810.4
90Medical Dosimetrists, Medical Records Specialists, and Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other770$47,950$23.060
91Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers770$47,820$22.990.3
92Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians760$53,280$25.620.2
93Rehabilitation Counselors760$45,400$21.830.1
94Computer Systems Analysts720$82,810$39.810.4
95Correctional Officers and Jailers720$56,710$27.260.25
96First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors720$59,550$28.630.3
97Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators710$62,360$29.980.25
98First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers700$70,050$33.680.3
99Painters, Construction and Maintenance700$43,250$20.790.2
100Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors690$48,810$23.460.2
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Spokane Colleges
Spokane colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Spokane Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$51,120240,280
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$41,15031,500
Sales and Related Occupations$41,39025,100
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$30,53021,540
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$40,59018,500
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$89,04014,930
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$55,41014,800
Healthcare Support Occupations$33,34014,600
Production Occupations$42,83013,430
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$67,59013,070
Construction and Extraction Occupations$52,81011,120
Management Occupations$112,14010,190
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$51,32010,120
Retail Salespersons$31,4109,740
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$34,4908,730
Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,0408,130
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$29,8107,620
Protective Service Occupations$54,4005,720
Office Clerks, General$37,6005,640
Community and Social Service Occupations$50,8205,460
Personal Care and Service Occupations$37,0705,410
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$75,2805,200
Registered Nurses$80,0705,090
Cashiers$29,0304,720
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$34,0804,430
Customer Service Representatives$38,6304,350
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$34,0704,150
Waiters and Waitresses$33,7903,910
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$47,3003,680
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$50,4403,230
General and Operations Managers$111,1303,070
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$39,2802,940
Stockers and Order Fillers$33,3402,940
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$77,3402,880
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$42,0802,840
Nursing Assistants$31,9902,570
Accountants and Auditors$72,3502,360
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$61,2502,300
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$42,2402,290
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$71,7302,270
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$68,2902,190
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$44,2702,180
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$72,3402,180
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$34,5602,160
Construction Laborers$44,3702,140
Cooks, Restaurant$31,2302,130
Receptionists and Information Clerks$32,0001,980
Security Guards$33,3401,920
Light Truck Drivers$40,4001,840
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$39,1601,770

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

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$51,120240,280
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$41,15031,500
Sales and Related Occupations$41,39025,100
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$30,53021,540
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$40,59018,500
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$89,04014,930
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$55,41014,800
Healthcare Support Occupations$33,34014,600
Production Occupations$42,83013,430
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$67,59013,070
Construction and Extraction Occupations$52,81011,120
Management Occupations$112,14010,190
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$51,32010,120
Retail Salespersons$31,4109,740
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$34,4908,730
Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,0408,130
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$29,8107,620
Protective Service Occupations$54,4005,720
Office Clerks, General$37,6005,640
Community and Social Service Occupations$50,8205,460
Personal Care and Service Occupations$37,0705,410
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$75,2805,200
Registered Nurses$80,0705,090
Cashiers$29,0304,720
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$34,0804,430
Customer Service Representatives$38,6304,350
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$34,0704,150
Waiters and Waitresses$33,7903,910
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$47,3003,680
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$50,4403,230
General and Operations Managers$111,1303,070
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$39,2802,940
Stockers and Order Fillers$33,3402,940
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$77,3402,880
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$42,0802,840
Nursing Assistants$31,9902,570
Accountants and Auditors$72,3502,360
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$61,2502,300
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$42,2402,290
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$71,7302,270
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$68,2902,190
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$44,2702,180
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$72,3402,180
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$34,5602,160
Construction Laborers$44,3702,140
Cooks, Restaurant$31,2302,130
Receptionists and Information Clerks$32,0001,980
Security Guards$33,3401,920
Light Truck Drivers$40,4001,840
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$39,1601,770

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