American Workforce Group (AWG) is your expert staffing resource for Thurston County, serving job seekers and businesses in the State Capital region of Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater. The local economy is defined by its stability in state government, healthcare, and high-wage professional services. We connect candidates to a variety of roles across the region’s most secure sectors.
Locally owned staffing partner serving Thurston County for over a decade.
FEATURED JOBS IN THURSTON COUNTY
THE THURSTON COUNTY JOB MARKET
KEY EMPLOYMENT SECTORS
- Government (State, County, and Local): This is the largest employment sector, driven by Olympia’s role as the state capital. Thousands of jobs in policy, administration, public safety, and public services create long term stability and steady demand for administrative and support roles.
- Health Care and Social Assistance: One of the fastest growing sectors in the county. Hospitals, clinics, and long term care centers in Olympia and Lacey drive strong hiring for support roles, medical assistants, technicians, and administrative staff.
- Education: Public schools, colleges, and universities are major employers. Evergreen State College, South Puget Sound Community College, and regional school districts provide a large number of teaching, support, and operations jobs.
- Professional and Business Services: Consulting, technical services, and administrative support firms continue to expand as the region’s population grows. Many firms serve state agencies and regional organizations.
- Construction and Trades: Residential and commercial development across Lacey, Tumwater, and the I-5 corridor supports steady hiring for labor, carpentry, equipment operation, and skilled trades.
THURSTON COUNTY KEY NUMBERS
- Unemployment rate around 4.6 to 4.7 percent in 2025, below the statewide average.
- Total nonfarm employment sits near 125,000 jobs with year over year growth around 1 percent.
- Median household income estimated between $82,000 and $85,000, above many neighboring counties.
- Population around 305,000 with a labor force of approximately 150,000 workers.
THURSTON COUNTY GROWTH TRENDS
- Health care continues to expand as the leading private sector employer.
- Professional and business services show consistent growth due to proximity to state agencies.
- Construction activity remains elevated as the county experiences long term population growth.
- Wage growth strongest in government, healthcare, and professional services.
THURSTON COUNTY WORKER PROFILE
- Workforce with strong representation in administration, education, and service roles.
- Median age in the high 30s to early 40s.
- Higher educational attainment levels compared to many counties in Southwest Washington.
- Many workers commute into Olympia from surrounding counties.
THURSTON COUNTY WORKER TRENDS
- Steady increases in government and healthcare jobs drive long term employment stability.
- Growth expected in education support, administrative services, healthcare support, and construction through 2030.
- Entry level administrative and service roles offer paths into state government and large systems with long term advancement potential.
THURSTON COUNTY UNEMPLOYMENT
- Unemployment around 4.6 to 4.7 percent through 2025.
- Rates remain below the statewide average and well under historic highs.
- Short term fluctuations influenced by seasonal administrative and construction cycles.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THURSTON COUNTY JOBS
Applying is easy, with three options to choose from! You can apply by:
– Completing an Online Application
– Submit a Resume in word document format
– Applying directly to one of our online Employment Openings
NO! There is no charge, at any time, for employees to apply or use AWG’s services.
There is no set time frame or guarantee for starting work through AWG. Receiving AWG job offers is dependent on three main factors:
- What positions AWG currently has available
- What availability and qualifications an employee has compared to the jobs that are available
- Completion of an employee’s application (i.e. waiting on certificates, references, testing, etc.)
AWG strives to offer applicants positions as soon as possible, sometimes even at the end of their interview! However, for the reasons stated above, it may take a few days, a few weeks or even longer to receive an offer. Being open to trying positions is key if you are very eager to get to work.
To stay on top of all current job openings and their details, check out our Employment Openings. If you are an active AWG candidate, make sure that you are checking in available and discussing job openings with the AWG team.
Checking in with AWG lets us know an employee’s motivation level and keeps them fresh in our minds when a new position becomes available.
- For production and labor positions: call-in as available at least every other day during office hours.
- For administrative and skilled trades positions: call-in available at least once a week during office hours.
However, we encourage you to check in as often as you like; our recruiters greatly enjoy speaking to our employees and making job connections as quickly as possible!
A recruiter will make the initial job offer over the phone, so please ensure AWG has your most up-to-date contact information and that you have a voicemail box set up.
Many of our positions are first come, first serve, and delays in responding or accepting an offer may mean that it is accepted by another candidate.
We do not want people to accept positions they are not interested in. We do, however, want feedback as to WHY you have declined the offer. This allows AWG to understand what a better fit for you would be so the next position we offer can be one you want to accept.
Yes! A minimum of 2 working days’ notice is required to be eligible for rehire.
Call us! If, for any reason, you are running late or unable to make it to an assigned shift, you are to Call AWG IMMEDIATELY. Make sure to leave a voicemail if you do not speak to someone directly. AWG can be reached 24/7.
Employees are expected to be on time, at work and ready to work a full shift as a condition of hire and continued employment. Absenteeism, early departures and late arrivals burden fellow employees and client production. In the event an employee needs to miss time from work they are required to call AWG prior to their shift start time.
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
With the exception of the following holidays: New Year’s Day/Memorial Day/Fourth of July/Labor Day/Thanksgiving Day/Christmas Day.
Every Friday! AWG offers direct deposit or a rapid! paycard.
AWG is in compliance with the Affordable Care Act, and upon hire, each AWG employee is offered the opportunity to be enrolled in coverage if/when they obtain eligibility.
AWG started the ‘AWG Pay It Forward Program’ in 2018 to help individuals further themselves. It’s a program set up to give back! Contributions are 100% voluntary & are not taken until you begin employment. If an employee needs boots to get to work or needs prescription safety glasses to keep their job … we’ve got them covered! You can change your contribution amount at any point, just ask an AWG team member! Thank you for helping us help others 😊
Serving Employers in:
Olympia • Lacey • Tumwater • Du Point • Yelm
Thurston County Employers Trust Us Because:
“What we have found in American Workforce is that we have more trust in the employees you provide and the work ethic compared to others. We hope to keep this great partnership going. Thank you guys!!!”
— Private Client Employer“AWG has always provided our organization with amazing candidates. Myself included.
”
— Private Client Employer
Google Rating: ★★★★☆
CITIES IN THURSTON COUNTY:
Jobs in Olympia WA
Jobs in Lacey WA
Jobs in Tumwater WA
Jobs in Yelm WA
Ready to work in Thurston County? Apply now