Canva
1 / 50#50. Tour and Travel Guides
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +19.1% (220 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,370
--- Employment in 2023: 1,150
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,830
Fastest-growing jobs in Washington
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis revealed that, as of September 2025, the national hiring rate has reached a decade low, with the exception of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Associated Press reports that several factors have contributed to this, including the impact of the eleven interest rate hikes that occurred in 2022 and 2023 and the dozens of tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump since the beginning of the year.
Economists generally agree that the long-run breakeven employment growth rate (or the rate at which new jobs need to be added to keep up with population growth) is somewhere between 70,000 and 90,000 jobs per month. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in August 2025, just 22,000 new jobs were added. June and July saw a combined 87,000 new jobs added to the workforce.
Those numbers are bleak, to be sure, but not all employment news is bad. Certain sectors, like health care and social services, continue to see rapid growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said average hourly earnings for all employees are also up by 3.7% over the past 12 months. The total number of hours worked per week has been edging down for all employees, providing opportunities for much-needed work-life balance.
The employment story also looks quite different from state to state. Some places, like Utah, New Mexico, Hawai'i, and Idaho, are seeing high-percentage job growth year over year; others, like Washington D.C., Iowa, and Kansas, have actually seen a shrinkage in the overall number of job openings.
Using BLS jobs data, Stacker determined the fastest-growing jobs in Washington. Occupations were ranked by the percentage increase in employment between 2023 and 2024. Jobs were excluded from the ranking if they had fewer than 1,000 people working in them in the state.
Keep reading to learn which jobs are growing the fastest in Washington.
You may also like: Biggest sources of immigrants to Washington
fizkes // Shutterstock
2 / 50#49. Legal Support Workers, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +19.2% (200 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,240
--- Employment in 2023: 1,040
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $81,060
Victor Moussa // Shutterstock
3 / 50#48. Firefighters
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +20.1% (1,340 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 8,000
--- Employment in 2023: 6,660
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $93,490
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
4 / 50#47. Family Medicine Physicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +20.3% (240 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,420
--- Employment in 2023: 1,180
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $239,200+
GolF2532 // Shutterstock
5 / 50#46. Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +20.8% (260 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,510
--- Employment in 2023: 1,250
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $64,590
You may also like: Coldest Octobers in Washington since 1895
DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock
6 / 50#45. Food Preparation Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +20.9% (3,640 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 21,090
--- Employment in 2023: 17,450
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $38,950
Lucky Business // Shutterstock
7 / 50#44. Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +21.4% (1,850 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 10,480
--- Employment in 2023: 8,630
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $50,350
santypan // Shutterstock
8 / 50#43. Bartenders
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +21.7% (3,410 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 19,140
--- Employment in 2023: 15,730
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,320
Pressmaster // Shutterstock
9 / 50#42. Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.0% (260 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,440
--- Employment in 2023: 1,180
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $77,310
Pakorn Khantiyaporn // Shutterstock
10 / 50#41. Logisticians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.6% (990 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,370
--- Employment in 2023: 4,380
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $101,830
You may also like: Stop doing everything: How small business leaders in Washington can reclaim 78 workdays each year
ALPA PROD // Shutterstock
11 / 50#40. Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.6% (2,150 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 11,650
--- Employment in 2023: 9,500
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $56,920
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
12 / 50#39. Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +24.8% (780 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,920
--- Employment in 2023: 3,140
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $59,190
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
13 / 50#38. Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +26.1% (470 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,270
--- Employment in 2023: 1,800
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $136,930
Canva
14 / 50#37. Home Health and Personal Care Aides
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +26.9% (21,280 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 100,360
--- Employment in 2023: 79,080
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,140
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
15 / 50#36. Home Health and Personal Care Aides
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +26.9% (21,280 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 100,360
--- Employment in 2023: 79,080
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,140
You may also like: Best public colleges in Washington
Kzenon // Shutterstock
16 / 50#35. Self-Enrichment Teachers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +27.0% (2,350 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 11,050
--- Employment in 2023: 8,700
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,220
LightField Studios // Shutterstock
17 / 50#34. Emergency Medical Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +27.1% (700 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,280
--- Employment in 2023: 2,580
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,850
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
18 / 50#33. Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.1% (1,170 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,330
--- Employment in 2023: 4,160
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $43,190
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
19 / 50#32. Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.6% (860 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,870
--- Employment in 2023: 3,010
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $38,510
Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
20 / 50#31. Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.9% (260 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,160
--- Employment in 2023: 900
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $70,650
You may also like: See the most extreme temperatures in Washington history
Kitawit Jitaton // Shutterstock
21 / 50#30. Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +29.9% (350 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,520
--- Employment in 2023: 1,170
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $79,990
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
22 / 50#29. Mechanical Engineers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.0% (2,160 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 9,350
--- Employment in 2023: 7,190
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $109,370
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
23 / 50#28. Personal Financial Advisors
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +31.2% (1,550 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 6,510
--- Employment in 2023: 4,960
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $112,020
Dragon Images // Shutterstock
24 / 50#27. Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +31.3% (2,330 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 9,770
--- Employment in 2023: 7,440
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,500
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock
25 / 50#26. Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +33.3% (260 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,040
--- Employment in 2023: 780
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $73,980
You may also like: Biggest comeback wins in Seattle Seahawks history
zhu difeng // Shutterstock
26 / 50#25. Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +33.5% (810 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,230
--- Employment in 2023: 2,420
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,760
Jat306 // Shutterstock
27 / 50#24. Millwrights
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +33.7% (320 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,270
--- Employment in 2023: 950
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $76,300
Tyler Olson // Shutterstock
28 / 50#23. Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +34.3% (840 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,290
--- Employment in 2023: 2,450
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $37,730
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
29 / 50#22. Project Management Specialists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +35.5% (9,350 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 35,660
--- Employment in 2023: 26,310
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $117,030
BalanceFormCreative // Shutterstock
30 / 50#21. Information Security Analysts
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +38.3% (1,890 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 6,830
--- Employment in 2023: 4,940
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $142,920
You may also like: Most expensive homes for sale in Washington
Tyler Olson // Shutterstock
31 / 50#20. Phlebotomists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +39.2% (670 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,380
--- Employment in 2023: 1,710
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,700
VH-studio // Shutterstock
32 / 50#19. Protective Service Workers, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +39.9% (1,300 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,560
--- Employment in 2023: 3,260
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $42,310
Chaay_Tee // Shutterstock
33 / 50#18. Data Scientists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +40.6% (2,290 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 7,930
--- Employment in 2023: 5,640
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $158,760
fizkes // Shutterstock
34 / 50#17. Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +42.7% (320 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,070
--- Employment in 2023: 750
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $107,100
Alena Veasey // Shutterstock
35 / 50#16. Cooks, Fast Food
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +45.3% (2,690 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 8,630
--- Employment in 2023: 5,940
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,800
You may also like: Highest-rated things to do in Washington by visitors
Goldsithney // Shutterstock
36 / 50#15. Psychiatric Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +45.4% (440 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,410
--- Employment in 2023: 970
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $51,000
DGLimages // Shutterstock
37 / 50#14. Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +47.4% (1,540 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,790
--- Employment in 2023: 3,250
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $61,980
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
38 / 50#13. Art Directors
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +48.7% (570 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,740
--- Employment in 2023: 1,170
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $143,490
Roman Zaiets // Shutterstock
39 / 50#12. Radiologists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +49.7% (750 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,260
--- Employment in 2023: 1,510
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $239,200+
Leika production // Shutterstock
40 / 50#11. Couriers and Messengers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +50.5% (560 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,670
--- Employment in 2023: 1,110
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $44,170
You may also like: The most popular grocery items for Christmas in Washington, according to Instacart
branislavpudar // Shutterstock
41 / 50#10. Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +55.7% (1,020 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,850
--- Employment in 2023: 1,830
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $59,840
SeventyFour // Shutterstock
42 / 50#9. Computer Hardware Engineers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +57.5% (500 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,370
--- Employment in 2023: 870
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $174,070
Halfpoint // Shutterstock
43 / 50#8. Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +68.1% (470 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,160
--- Employment in 2023: 690
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $76,470
BearFotos // Shutterstock
44 / 50#7. Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +72.6% (1,590 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,780
--- Employment in 2023: 2,190
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $34,860
Khromova Anna // Shutterstock
45 / 50#6. Fence Erectors
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +76.1% (540 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,250
--- Employment in 2023: 710
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $55,240
You may also like: Counties with the most motor vehicle accident fatalities in Washington
Tong_stocker // Shutterstock
46 / 50#5. Helpers--Carpenters
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +79.7% (550 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,240
--- Employment in 2023: 690
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,010
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock
47 / 50#4. Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +94.3% (500 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,030
--- Employment in 2023: 530
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $99,690
wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
48 / 50#3. Production Workers, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +111.2% (890 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,690
--- Employment in 2023: 800
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,700
fizkes // Shutterstock
49 / 50#2. Order Clerks
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +146.9% (3,040 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,110
--- Employment in 2023: 2,070
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,740
aappp // Shutterstock
50 / 50#1. Aircraft Service Attendants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +272.7% (900 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,230
--- Employment in 2023: 330
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,480
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Madison Troyer, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.
You may also like: Average Washington mortgage debt increased to $351,622 in 2024
