Washington's top cities are Seattle, Spokane and Tacoma. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in May 2011, Washington's top industries were office and administrative support occupations, sales and related occupations, and food preparation and serving related occupations. Although most workers in these industries have not attended college or vocational school, job applicants with postsecondary education or degrees typically earn higher wages and qualify for better benefits, such as health insurance.

Career Opportunities in Washington

Redmond is host to the state's non-government largest employer: Microsoft Corporation. The Sea Tac International Airport of Seattle and Providence Health & Services in Renton are also top employment sources for workers. The BLS report states that, in Washington, retail salespersons is the most common single occupation with food preparation and serving workers and cashiers holding the second and third spot. The fourth highest is registered nurses, which requires a bachelor of science degree or an associate’s degree.

Despite the fact that most people are unskilled workers, applicants with postsecondary education land the best paying jobs. For example, janitors and cleaners earn a mean annual wage of $28,430, but supervisors of cleaning crews earn an average of $39,460. Washington's extensive school system offers a range of choices, from non-degree certifications to doctorate degrees. In addition to the public university system, the state has several private colleges and community or technical colleges. Work-related educational programs, such as Renton Technical College's apprenticeship programs, help make Washington a great state in which to get technical training. Some private colleges, including Bastyr University in Kenmore and Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in Yakima, concentrate on medical studies and sciences, but others, such as Corban University School of Ministry in Tacoma and Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, cover other industries.

Washington is a fine state for pursuing an education and a career. The physical diversity of the inland forests and the ocean coastline make it an ideal state for environmental studies.