CAREER PATHWAYS

Discover growing career opportunities in the PacMtn region

Looking for a career with strong growth and long-term opportunity? The PacMtn region—Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Grays Harbor, and Pacific counties—is home to several competitive, hiring industries that offer good wages, clear career pathways, and room to advance.

Explore the six sectors shaping our regional economy below to learn about common jobs, local employers, training options, and how to get started.

Explore our six high-demand industries

Doctors and nurses in a hospital hallway, wheeling a patient on a bed

Healthcare

From medical assisting to nursing to behavioral health, healthcare offers steady demand and opportunities to grow your skills over time.

Explore healthcare careers
Blue collar workers are working at wood factory. Blue collar and factory.

Forest and wood products

Logging, milling, biomass, and advanced wood manufacturing are long-standing pillars of our local economy.

Explore forest and wood products careers
Rear side view of a male caucasian adult technician using milling machine commands in a cnc factory

Specialty manufacturing and logistics

From precision machining to transportation and distribution, this sector offers hands-on, technical, and high-skill career paths.

Explore manufacturing and logistics careers
Young Caucasian male and female computer programmers working together on a computer at the open space office

IT and telecom

Technical support, cybersecurity, software, and communication networks power every industry in our region.

Explore IT and telecom careers
Shot of a young woman rinsing off freshly picked vegetables on a farm

Food production

From farming to processing to distribution, food production supports our communities and offers a wide variety of career pathways.

Explore food production careers
A young woman is checking into her hotel stay at the lobby concierge desk.

Hospitality and tourism

Hotels, restaurants, recreation, travel, and customer service roles help keep our region a welcoming destination for visitors and locals.

Explore hospitality and tourism careers

Why explore by industry?

Exploring careers by sector can help you:

  • Identify which roles match your skills and interests
  • Discover local employers who are hiring
  • Learn what training or credentials you may (or may not) need
  • Understand the types of jobs available today and in the future
  • See wage ranges and growth opportunities
  • Understand pathways for advancement over time

Whether you're early in your career, changing fields, or returning to work, exploring these sectors can help you make informed decisions about your next steps.