Employment Opportunities in Cowlitz County
Serving Longview, Kelso, Kalama, Castle Rock and Woodland
American Workforce Group connects Cowlitz County residents with steady work in manufacturing, administrative, and skilled trades. Roles range from entry level production and warehouse work to higher skill machine operation, maintenance, and CDL driving across Longview, Kelso, Kalama, and Woodland. Start your job search here or visit our job board for current openings.
Locally owned staffing company serving Cowlitz County since 2013. Fast Placement. No Fees to Job Seekers.
FEATURED JOBS IN COWLITZ COUNTY
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
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:
Longview • Kelso • Kalama • Castle Rock • Woodland
Cowlitz County Employers Our 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
Google Rating: ★★★★☆
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Informative, direct, and easy. Would work with again!Posted on Damen JegTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very helpful in helping me find good employment.Posted on Gabriel McMahonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I spoke with Tiffany today. We had a short interview dealing with my qualifications and experience, and what I was looking for in a job. She worked diligently, and found a job that works for, and got me an interview in the next couple of days. Thank you Tiffany for going above and beyond. 5 stars!!!!Posted on Super BoothTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I met the staff at AWG amd they we're really friendly. Kim was very patient and professional during our meeting. I know these ladies work hard to help others. Thank you AWG!!!Posted on Henry LitwinkoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very responsive and pleasant staffing agency to work with.Posted on Brant StitesTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Recruiter Kim is amazing. Friendly and professional. See the magic for yourself! 😀Posted on Strange Brew76
CITIES IN COWLITZ COUNTY:
Jobs in Longview WA
Jobs in Kelso WA
Jobs in Castle Rock WA
Jobs in Kalama WA
Jobs in Woodland WA
Ready to work in Cowlitz County? Apply now