Tacoma Employment

Employment and Industries in the Tacoma, Washington Area

The Tacoma economy is bolstered by a large number of high-technology companies. Major economic forces in Tacoma include manufacturing, agriculture and forest products, financial services, healthcare and professional services. The region is also a major flower bulb producer. Tourism is also a significant economic factor.

The McChord U.S. Air Force Base and the Fort Lewis Army Post are located in the area and have a significant economic impact. Tacoma also has a busy container handling port. The Port of Tacoma is a major gateway for international trade and the port activities provide a vast number of jobs.

Tacoma, Washington includes notable sectors such as Internet and computer services, automated fingerprint and radio frequency identification systems and satellite imaging.

The top nonagricultural job providing segments in Tacoma, Washington are the government; trade, transportation and utilities; healthcare, education, leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, and manufacturing.

Details about Tacoma, Washington: Average salary in 2009: $39,000. Adult residents holding a bachelor's degree or better: 20%. Cost of living index in 2008: 112.7 (U.S. average: 100).

Tacoma's largest job providers:

  • Fort Lewis Army Post
  • McChord Air Force Base
  • Washington State
  • Multicare Health System
  • Tacoma Public Schools
  • Franciscan Health System
  • Pierce County Government
  • U.S. Army Madigan Hospital
  • City of Tacoma
  • Fred Meyer Stores
  • Walmart
  • Emerald Queen Casino
  • Boeing
  • Safeway Stores, Inc
  • U.S. Postal Service
  • Tacoma Public Utilities
  • State Farm Insurance Companies
  • Costco
  • Intel Corporation

Businesses situated in Tacoma have access to helpful organizations including:

The News Tribune provides details about the local business community.

Jobs in Tacoma

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
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Additional Details

Tacoma Colleges
Tacoma colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Tacoma 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 Tacoma, 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

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