Employment Opportunities in Cowlitz County

Serving Longview, Kelso, Kalama, Castle Rock and Woodland

Looking for employment opportunities in Cowlitz County? American Workforce Group connects local job seekers with steady work in Longview, Kelso, Kalama, Castle Rock, Woodland, and surrounding communities. From entry-level production and warehouse jobs to skilled trades, machine operation, CDL driving, office support, and temp-to-hire careers, our local recruiting team helps people find work with employers who are hiring now.

Locally owned staffing company serving Cowlitz County since 2013. Fast Placement. No Fees to Job Seekers.

FEATURED JOBS IN COWLITZ COUNTY

Common Cowlitz County openings include:
Production Worker, Warehouse Associate, Forklift Operator, Machine Operator, CDL Driver, Maintenance Technician, Welder, Administrative Assistant, and Accounting Support. View Jobs Here

Current Hiring Snapshot in Cowlitz County

Hiring Area	Common Roles AWG Sees
Manufacturing	Production, machine operation, maintenance, fabrication
Warehouse & Logistics	Forklift, material handling, shipping/receiving
Skilled Trades	Welders, mechanics, millwrights, CDL drivers
Administrative	Office support, customer service, accounting support

AWG recruiter insight: Many Cowlitz County employers are looking for candidates who are dependable, safety-minded, comfortable working around industrial equipment, and ready to communicate clearly with supervisors.

THE COWLITZ COUNTY JOB MARKET

The Cowlitz County job market stays focused on blue collar strength. Longview and Kelso anchor the region with major employers in manufacturing, ports, logistics, and industrial operations. Mills, fabrication shops, and transportation companies shape the local workforce.

Located along the Columbia River, the county includes Longview, Kelso, Kalama, and Woodland. The area supports a strong industrial base, port activity, and steady demand for production, maintenance, and transportation workers.

KEY EMPLOYMENT SECTORS

Manufacturing: The largest private sector. Paper mills, wood products, metals, fabrication shops, and industrial plants drive ongoing demand for production workers, operators, millwrights, mechanics, and electricians.
Trade, Transportation, and Warehousing: The Port of Longview and I-5 corridor create strong logistics activity. Warehousing, trucking, and freight operations stay busy year round.
Construction and Skilled Trades: Industrial projects, local development, and infrastructure work support hiring for labor, carpentry, concrete, and equipment operation.
Healthcare and Social Assistance: Hospitals, clinics, and long term care facilities in Longview and Kelso create growing demand for support and administrative roles.
Retail and Services: A steady employer across Longview and Kelso with regular openings in food service, retail, and customer support.

COWLITZ COUNTY KEY NUMBERS

Unemployment rate around 5.3 percent in 2025.
Total nonfarm employment near 45,000 to 50,000 jobs.
Median household income estimated between 72,000 and 77,000 dollars.
Population around 113,000 with a labor force near 50,000 workers.

COWLITZ COUNTY GROWTH TRENDS

Manufacturing stays a core employer with stable long term demand.
Logistics and transportation remain strong due to port operations and warehouse growth.
Construction activity continues across industrial and commercial projects.
Healthcare shows gradual expansion as population ages.

COWLITZ COUNTY WORKER PROFILE

Workforce centered around industrial, trade, logistics, and blue collar roles.
Median age in the low 40s.
Income levels below state averages but stable for smaller counties.
Strong commuter activity along the Longview Kelso corridor.

COWLITZ COUNTY WORKER TRENDS

Stable industrial demand for production, maintenance, and equipment operators.
Expansion in warehouse and transportation roles driven by port traffic and distribution centers.
Growing need for skilled labor in manufacturing, trades, and plant operations.

COWLITZ COUNTY UNEMPLOYMENT

Unemployment around 5.3 percent in 2025.
Slightly higher than urban counties but consistent with industrial regions.
Seasonal shifts tied to construction, port cycles, and industrial maintenance periods.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT COWLITZ COUNTY JOBS

What types of jobs are most common in Cowlitz County?

Many openings in the Longview-Kelso area are connected to manufacturing, production, warehousing, logistics, skilled trades, transportation, and office support.

Does AWG help people find jobs in Longview and Kelso?

Yes. AWG serves job seekers and employers throughout Longview, Kelso, Kalama, Castle Rock, Woodland, and surrounding Cowlitz County communities.

Can AWG help with temp-to-hire jobs in Cowlitz County?

Yes. Many AWG opportunities are temp-to-hire, giving job seekers a path to prove themselves and employers a way to evaluate long-term fit.

Do I need industrial experience to apply?

Not always. Some Cowlitz County jobs require prior experience, certifications, or equipment skills, while others are entry-level and focus more on reliability, attendance, and willingness to learn.

How Do I Apply For A Position?

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

Does AWG Charge Employees To Use Their Services?

NO! There is no charge, at any time, for employees to apply or use AWG’s services.

If Brought Through The AWG Hiring Process, When Can I Expect Work?

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.

How Can I Stay Aware Of Current Job Openings?

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.

How Often Should I Check In As Available?

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!

How Will I Receive Notice Of A Job Offer?

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.

What Happens If I Decline An Offer?

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.

Does AWG Require A Notice To End A Job?

Yes! A minimum of 2 working days’ notice is required to be eligible for rehire.

What Do I Do If I Cannot Make It To Work?

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.

What Is AWG's Attendance Policy?

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.

What Are AWG's Office Hours?

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.

When Is Payday?

Every Friday! AWG offers direct deposit or a rapid! paycard.

Does AWG Provide Insurance?

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.

What Is AWG's Pay It Forward Program?

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:
Longview • Kelso • Kalama • Castle Rock • Woodland

Cowlitz County Employers Trust AWG Services Because:

“AWG has always been the agency that I go to when needing temporary employees. They are very friendly and super efficient.”
— Operations Manager, Longview Industrial
“AWG’s communication is amazing! They have outperformed other agencies we used in the past. Very much appreciated”
— Longview Employer