what industries are really driving jobs in Kitsap County?
If you’re involved in Kitsap Business, you’ve probably wondered: What industries are really driving jobs in Kitsap County? Knowing the main employers helps you make smarter choices, whether you’re job‑hunting, planning to start or grow a business here, or helping your local organization build employment.
Over the past few years, Kitsap County has seen steady job growth in key sectors. But our region also faces challenges: skill shortages, infrastructure gaps, and workforce mismatches. This post explores why these issues matter for Kitsap Business, and how we can turn them into opportunities.
The problem: What challenges does Kitsap Business face?
- Limited awareness of growth sectors. Many residents still see Kitsap as a “commuter county” for Seattle jobs, not realizing the strength of local industries.
- Workforce skills mismatch. Businesses like manufacturers and health care providers struggle to find qualified workers, especially in technical and trade roles.
- Infrastructure constraints. Growing sectors like maritime and tech need better transit, training programs, and connectivity, despite steady efforts from Kitsap Transit.
- Economic resilience. Kitsap faced bumps during COVID‑19, though has rebounded, making it vital for businesses to understand which sectors are stable and expanding.
Knowing these helps Kitsap Business owners, job seekers, and policymakers act with confidence.
Top industries driving job growth in Kitsap County
1. Government & Military (Public Sector)
What’s growing?
Government employment dominates jobs, with over 33,000 jobs in 2023, split between federal and local government. The Naval Base Kitsap alone accounts for ~38,000 military and civilian positions.
Why this matters for Kitsap Business:
- Provides stable, well‑paying jobs.
- Supports thousands of civilian jobs in sectors like administration, defense contracting, and services.
- Offers consistent consumer demand in retail, housing, and transport.
Challenges:
Complex procurement and contracting cycles. Workforce may overlook local civilian opportunities.
Solutions:
- Invest in resume/interview workshops targeting military spouses, veterans, and transitioning personnel.
- Encourage local businesses to register as government contractors.
- Build mentoring programs that connect military/civilian job seekers with private sector employers.
2. Health Care & Social Assistance
What’s growing?
This sector employs ~15,800 people, with around 2,090 job postings as of July 2024. St. Michael Medical Center (Virginia Mason Franciscan Health) and other clinics are expanding.
Why this matters for Kitsap Business:
- It’s the largest private‑sector employment cluster.
- Entry and mid‑level roles (e.g., medical assistants, coding specialists) are abundant.
- Aging population makes this a long‑term growth area.
Challenges:
- Staffing shortages, especially in nursing and specialized care.
- Training pathways (e.g., CNA, phlebotomy) aren’t clearly connected to employers.
Solutions:
- Strengthen partnerships between K‑12/Career Tech and healthcare providers for internships/apprenticeships.
- Promote scholarships for high‑demand credentials.
- Host local job fairs focused on Kitsap Business health‑care Hiring Days.
3. Manufacturing & Maritime
What’s growing?
Manufacturing employs ~13,900 residents and includes marine, metals, and defense contractors. Recent reports detail hiring for welders, marine systems techs, engineers, QA, and project management roles kitsapeda.org.
Why this matters for Kitsap Business:
- High-paying skilled‑trade jobs.
- Multipliers: each technical role supports several jobs in supply, logistics, and services.
- Maritime aligns with Kitsap’s geographical strengths.
Challenges:
- Aging workforce retiring soon.
- Low number of skilled trades graduates.
- Limited visibility of modern manufacturing.
Solutions:
- Launch awareness campaigns in schools and career events highlighting “Make in Kitsap” jobs.
- Expand apprenticeship programs and fast‑track workforce re‑entry.
- Create scholarship funds for machine tool or welding certifications linked directly with local employers.
4. Retail, Hospitality & Tourism
What’s growing?
Retail employs ~14,800 people; accommodation & food services ~8,400. Tourism, with 3.37 million visitors in 2024, producing $513.8 million in sales and 3,782 jobs, is booming visitkitsap.com.
Why this matters for Kitsap Business:
- Creates steady entry‑level job opportunities.
- Rural/regional small businesses benefit from tourists (Bremerton, Bainbridge, Poulsbo).
- Multiplier effect: tourism spending supports retail, arts, transportation.
Challenges:
- Seasonal fluctuations in tourism and hospitality jobs.
- Low wages and part‑time schedules reduce industry appeal.
- Lack of formal training programs in hospitality.
Solutions:
- Offer certification programs in customer service/hospitality management via colleges.
- Partner with Visit Kitsap to create seasonal job fairs.
- Incentivize local hotels/restaurants to offer benefits and career pathways.
5. Professional, Scientific & Technical Services & Information Technology
What’s growing?
This workforce includes ~5,600 in professional services and information sector wages average over $128k. Tech and GIS specialists are on the rise.
Why this matters for Kitsap Business:
- High‑wage roles in engineering, planning, environmental services.
- GIS, IT, and business consulting are growing.
- Kitsap hosts dense engineering talent clustered around military, health and maritime.
Challenges:
- Attracting firms to locate here instead of Seattle.
- Keeping local STEM grads from commuting out.
- Lack of co‑working, networking, and incubator space.
Solutions:
- Support expansion of co‑working hubs with tech infrastructure.
- Partner with Olympic College and local firms for GIS, CAD, and IT bootcamps.
- Coordinate town halls between local tech firms and schools to showcase local tech opportunities.
Summary: How Kitsap Business can embrace growth
To harness these industries, Kitsap Business stakeholders should:
- Map the ecosystem. Understand where jobs are, and where the skills gaps lie.
- Invest in workforce alignment. Tailor training and outreach to high‑growth sectors.
- Build visibility. Promote local career paths through job fairs, social media, school visits.
- Partner across sectors. Government, educators, businesses, transit, everyone plays a role.
- Monitor data. Use ESD reports, Kitsap EDA, and labor stats to track trends and course‑correct.
Final Thoughts
At its core, growing Kitsap Business means matching opportunity with ability. The strongest sectors right now are government, health care, manufacturing/maritime, retail/tourism, and professional services/IT, each offering significant job creation and future resilience.
By tackling training gaps, promoting local career paths, and fostering inter‑sector collaboration, Kitsap County can ensure job growth continues, and benefits everyone. So whether you’re hiring, retraining, or starting your career, these industries hold the keys to a thriving Kitsap Business ecosystem.
Let me know if you’d like help delving deeper into any of these sectors, or crafting outreach strategies tailored to Kitsap Business.