With data from JobsEQ, we dive into the critical role manufacturing plays in Washington’s economy.
For more than a hundred years, manufacturing and aerospace have been a foundation for Washington’s economy, generating billions in revenues and supporting quality jobs. Manufacturing and aerospace act as diversifiers, ensuring the economy is built on more than services and software, with Washington residents making things locally that are used globally, every day.
Washington’s supply chain provides precision machined parts, electronics, composites and software, leading to opportunities for small and medium-sized manufacturers. In turn, those stable, well-paying jobs can be accessed through programs at Community and Technical Colleges.
The Center of Excellence for Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing recently rolled out Occupation Reports focused on Washington’s 10 leading aerospace and advanced manufacturing occupations. Find the skills and knowledge needed, career paths and job outlooks, earning numbers and more for Pilots, Mechanics, Engineers, Welders, Aircraft Maintenance Technicians and more.
Whether it’s a future focused on clean energy, automation or outer space, manufacturing and aerospace will remain essential to Washington’s economic resilience and growth. Let’s look at the numbers:
291,702 residents are employed in manufacturing and aerospace, 7.7% of the total employed in the state.
Wages continue to rise, with an average wage of $96,077 in Washington, compared to $84,477 in the nation.
Top aerospace and manufacturing occupation groups are Production (42.2%), Architecture and Engineering (8.9%), and Business and Financial Operations (8.4%).
The annual demand for new workers over the next 10 years is projected at 30,245 per year.
The geographic distribution of aerospace and manufacturing job in Washington is similar to the state’s population distribution:
Aerospace and manufacturing continue to play an essential role in Washington’s economy. Find out how the Center of Excellence for Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing brings industry and education together to ensure a future pipeline of skilled professionals: https://coeaerospace.com
All data courtesy of JobsEQ.