Two female employees working with heavy manufacturing equipment in Tacoma

Major Employers

Our impressive roster of major employers sets the stage for success in Pierce County.

Industry Trends

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A military plane on a military base in Tacoma
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  • Aerospace & Military
  • Military Technology & Entrepreneurship
  • Education & Public Sector
  • Healthcare
Aerospace & Military
An airplane on the tarmac in Tacoma
Aerospace & Military

Military and Aerospace Manufacturing Converge

Tacoma-Pierce County’s aerospace and defense roots run deep. Joint Base Lewis-McChord is our top overall employer, with 54,000 full-time equivalent positions. Meanwhile, dozens of companies contribute to the supply chain for Boeing, which also operates its own fabrication division in Puyallup, WA. Sekisui Aerospace, Toray Composite Materials and Camp Murray are among the region’s other top aerospace and military employers.

Military Technology & Entrepreneurship
A military plane on a military base in Tacoma
Military Technology & Entrepreneurship

Veteran-Run Startups

The city of Lakewood is the proud home of Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), the largest Army-led joint base in the United States. About 8,500 skilled service members transition out of JBLM annually and stay in Greater Tacoma to start their own businesses. Meet some of our military veterans who are paving the way for military tech in the community:

Wind Talker Innovations

Wind Talker Innovations provides software-based data networking, turning cell phones into cell towers and aircrafts into satellites to securely connect people across the world. Their products enhance national security and combat readiness on the ground, at sea, in the air and space, paving the way for a safer, more secure global future.

Namatad

Namatad is a University of Washington Tacoma spinout that produces a location tracking, environmental sensing, and real time analytics device that increases situational awareness and operational visibility, and keeps first responders and military members safe in the line of duty.

Ivy Data

Ivy Data is a real estate tech startup that uses data to connect real estate professionals with potential homeowners across the nation.

Education & Public Sector
A shot of a school bus in front of lush trees in Tacoma
Education & Public Sector

Education and Government Offer Meaningful Career Pathways

The public sector offers some of the most plentiful job opportunities in Tacoma-Pierce County, including state, county and city government. Education professionals can seek employment at local school districts in Tacoma, Puyallup, Bethel, Clover Park and more. Institutions of higher learning like Pierce College, University of Washington Tacoma, University of Puget Sound, Pacific Lutheran University and Tacoma Community College not only drive our highly educated population but provide meaningful career pathways.

Healthcare
A labratory employee measuring liquid into different sizes of vials in Tacoma
Healthcare

Countless Opportunities for Healthcare Professionals

There’s a reason why Tacoma-Pierce County receives an ‘A’ grade for health & fitness. Our region is home to numerous healthcare institutions and organizations – leading to countless opportunities for healthcare professionals as well as a healthy population. Tacoma-Pierce County’s top healthcare employers include MultiCare Health System, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Kaiser Permanente, Korean Women’s Association and Community Health Care.

Contact

Contact our experienced staff to learn more about the region’s major employers.

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