Thinking about relocating? Consider Vancouver, Washington!. A city of around 200,000 people, Vancouver is part of the Portland metropolitan area. Its economy is largely influenced by the larger economic trends in the region. The city is known for its strong presence in the technology and healthcare industries and its growing manufacturing sector.
According to recent Glassdoor listings, there are nearly 40,000 jobs hiring in the Vancouver, Washington area. Vancouver residents also have access to jobs in Portland, Oregon; however, only 30% of Vancouver workers work outside of Clark County, where Vancouver is located. (Washington residents who work in Oregon have to pay Oregon income tax, which is much higher– keep that in mind if you plan to live in Vancouver but work in Portland!) The area is great for finding employment; projected job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 38.8%.
So what job opportunities in Vancouver, Washington, might be a good fit for you?
Growing Industries in Vancouver, Washington
Originally a center for logging and mining, Vancouver’s business profile has changed dramatically since the city was founded. Here is the breakdown of the industry by population for Vancouver, Washington, according to Best Places.
| Industry | Percentage of Population Working In Industry | Industry | Percentage of Population Working In Industry |
| Health care and social assistance | 13.5% | Finance and insurance | 4.2% |
| Manufacturing | 12.5% | Public administration | 3.5% |
| Retail trade | 12.2% | Wholesale trade | 2.8% |
| Hospitality and food services | 8.3% | Information | 2.3% |
| Education | 6.6% | Real estate, rental, leasing | 2.3% |
| Construction | 6.3% | Arts, entertainment, recreation | 1.7% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 6.2% | Utilities | 0.9% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 6.1% | Agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting | 0.4% |
| Other services | 5.2% | Management of Companies | 0.1% |
| Administrative, support, waste management services | 5.1% | Mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction | 0.1% |
As you can see, there are numerous industries thriving in Vancouver, Washington. However, some of them are particularly important to the city’s economy.
Healthcare and Social Assistance
Healthcare and social assistance is the biggest industry in Vancouver, Washington. This is largely due to the city’s large hospital and major healthcare company (PeaceHealth) headquarters. Kaiser Permanente also operates several facilities around the city. Other major employers include home healthcare companies Prestige Care and EmpRes Healthcare.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is another major market sector in Vancouver, Washington. This encompasses several manufacturing types, including transportation and manufacturing for the big tech industry. HP Inc. has a manufacturing plant and is in the process of creating a major corporate campus. SEH America is a leading manufacturer of silicon wafers for semiconductors, and nLight is a major manufacturer of next-generation fiber lasers.
Tech isn’t the only industry served by Vancouver’s manufacturing industry. ConMet is a leading manufacturer for the transportation industry, while the Pacific Power Group makes engines for the power industry. RS Medical also operates a manufacturing plant in Vancouver, making non-opioid pain relief devices.
Education
The third and fourth biggest employers in Vancouver, Washington, are both school systems: Evergreen Public Schools and Vancouver Public Schools. Vancouver is home to Clark College, a community college that offers a number of two-year degrees and serves nearly 12,000 enrolled students. Washington State University also maintains a campus in Vancouver, offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
Technology
Vancouver, Washington, is home to several technology companies spread across various industries. In addition to tech manufacturing, there are several software companies and tech startups contributing to the city’s economic growth. Zoominfo Technologies develops software for businesses; NetRush is an emerging E-commerce platform. Another Vancouver tech startup is Hubb, a software platform that helps conference and meeting planners manage and market content for their events.
Transportation
Vancouver’s location on the Columbia River means that it has been a transportation hub for decades. In addition to the Port of Vancouver, US, the region has always been a rail hub. BNSF and Union Pacific both operate railyards in the area, as does the local Lewis and Clark Railway. Amtrak has three lines that stop in Vancouver; if you work in or around trains, it is an excellent location. There is also a local trucking company, Gulick Trucking, that operates in the region.
Food and Hospitality
Vancouver, Washington, has a thriving food and hospitality sector with a combination of local and national businesses. Two restaurant chains, Papa Murphy’s and Burgerville, have their headquarters in the city, as does one of the largest Taco Bell franchise groups on the west coast. The Great Western Malting Company has a malt plant and distribution center in the city, serving the American craft beer and distilling industry.
Corporate Headquarters in Vancouver, Washington
Vancouver’s business-forward atmosphere makes it a desirable place for corporate headquarters. Many large corporations have chosen to call Vancouver, Washington home, making it an attractive city for relocation. Some of these companies include
- PeaceHealth, a not-for-profit Catholic healthcare organization that provides care to communities throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska
- Banfield Pet Hospital, a private veterinary hospital company that operates clinics in over 1,000 PetSmart locations throughout the US
- Zoominfo Technologies, a SAAS (software as a service) and data company
- Nautilus, Inc. a fitness equipment company that designs, manufactures, and markets fitness equipment under the brands Bowflex, Modern Movement, Nautilus, Schwinn Fitness, and Universal.
- Papa Murphy’s, a nationwide take-and-bake pizza company
- Burgerville, a fast food burger chain focused on fresh ingredients and environmental sustainability
Considering Vancouver, Washington?
While Vancouver’s economy is strong and a great reason to make the city your new home (or business location), Vancouver has much else to offer. It is a diverse and vibrant city with a strong focus on outdoor recreation. Access to the Columbia River and nearby forests and mountains provides adventurous activities such as hiking, fishing, and boating opportunities.
If Vancouver, Washington, sounds like your perfect home, contact us at Redefyne Moving & Storage. We’ll set you up with a quote that will help get you on the road to Vancouver!
