Jobs in Lakewood WA

AWG places great employees into skilled trades, light industrial, and administrative roles.

Featured Jobs in Lakewood WA

See current openings in Lakewood WA and Pierce County. Apply today.

For a more in-depth job search experience, visit our full job board at jobs.americanworkforcegroup.com. Explore a wide range of opportunities and find the perfect fit for your skills and career goals.

The Workforce Roots of Lakewood, WA

The workforce roots of Lakewood, WA, are historically defined by two distinct, parallel forces—military presence and recreational development—before transitioning into its modern role as a diverse service, healthcare, and logistics hub.

The Workforce Roots of Lakewood, WAFoundational Pillar: Military and Government

Lakewood’s workforce grew around Fort Lewis and McChord Field, now combined as Joint Base Lewis McChord. The base supported thousands of military families and civilian workers for decades. This created a steady need for maintenance teams, supply specialists, logistics support, and skilled trades. Many long-term residents entered the workforce through military-connected roles or base-related service jobs.

As Lakewood expanded, retail centers, transportation corridors, and commercial districts grew around the base. Workers developed strong experience in customer service, office support, warehouse roles, and production work. Lakewood’s early economy relied on consistency, structure, and reliability. That history still influences how people work here today

Working in Lakewood TodayModern Evolution: Healthcare and Logistics

Lakewood has a steady job market supported by logistics, manufacturing, transportation, and service-based employers. The city sits between Tacoma, JBLM, and DuPont. This location creates a strong flow of work for warehouse teams, forklift operators, production labor, and delivery support.

Administrative jobs are common across medical offices, service companies, and local agencies. These roles involve scheduling, communication, reception, and basic data entry. Many of these positions offer regular hours and quick onboarding.

Workers in Lakewood benefit from short commutes and predictable shifts. Many job sites are within 10 to 20 minutes of major neighborhoods. This makes Lakewood a practical option for people who want stable work without long travel times.

Top Industries in Lakewood WA

The top industries in Lakewood, WA, are strongly influenced by its central location between Tacoma and Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), creating a diverse economy with high demand across several professional and industrial sectors.

  • Healthcare & Social Assistance

    This is the single largest employment sector in Lakewood. The presence of numerous clinics, behavioral health centers (like Acadia Healthcare), and community organizations (like the Korean Women's Association and Sea Mar Community Health Centers) creates a high and consistent demand for patient support, administrative roles, and social services.

  • Retail and Customer Service

    Lakewood is a major retail hub for the surrounding area, with large commercial centers along the I-5 corridor. This industry is a significant employer for roles in sales, stocking, and general customer service. The large concentration of military families from JBLM ensures a steady consumer base, supporting continued employment in this sector.

  • Logistics and Transportation

    Lakewood is strategically located on major trucking routes, making Logistics and Transportation a key industry. Local demand exists for CDL drivers, dock work, and freight handling. This sector directly supports the nearby ports and the extensive warehouse and distribution operations in the adjacent Pierce County industrial areas. Major employers like Pierce Transit also anchor local transportation jobs.

  • Light Industrial and Trades Support

    The region has a notable focus on Advanced Manufacturing and general production. Local companies, including aerospace suppliers and construction-related firms require skilled workers for assembly, machine operation, quality checks, and facilities maintenance. This segment relies heavily on Light Industrial and Trades Support professionals.

  • Administrative and Office Support

    Due to its proximity to JBLM and its role as a regional center, there is a consistent need for Administrative and Office Support professionals across all major industries, including the city government, educational institutions (like Clover Park Technical College), and the numerous professional services firms located in the city. Roles include scheduling, data entry, and general office coordination.

Why Work in Lakewood

Working in Lakewood, WA, is highly beneficial due to its central, strategic location and economic diversity, which create abundant job opportunities across multiple high-demand sectors.

🇺🇸 Job Stability from Military and Government

Lakewood’s economy is uniquely stabilized by its proximity to the U.S. Military and its role as a regional government center:

  • Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM): Adjacency to the massive military base provides a constant source of jobs in federal contracting, administrative services, security, and logistics support for the base’s operations.

  • Public Sector: The City of Lakewood and Clover Park Technical College provide stable public service careers, often with competitive public retirement and health benefits.

⚕️ Strong Private Sector Employment

The private economy is robust and diversified, offering careers in high-demand fields:

  • Healthcare: Health Care & Social Assistance is the largest private-sector employer. Major facilities like Hospitals and numerous clinics and behavioral health centers ensure a constant need for nurses, medical assistants, and administrative staff.

  • Logistics and Industrial: Located on the I-5 corridor and with a dedicated industrial park, the Logistics, Transportation, and Light Industrial sectors are strong, offering stable jobs in warehousing, material handling, and freight management.

  • Retail and Service: The Lakewood Colonial Center (one of the first suburban shopping centers in the US) and other major commercial areas create high-volume employment in Retail Trade and Customer Service.

🏡 Quality of Life and Affordability

Lakewood offers a strong quality of life within the Puget Sound area:

  • Diversity: Lakewood is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse cities in Washington.

  • Recreational Access: The city offers significant recreational amenities, including the expansive Fort Steilacoom Park and several lakes, providing excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation.

  • Affordability: While the cost of living is typical for the Puget Sound, Lakewood generally offers a more affordable housing market compared to Seattle or Bellevue.

  • No State Income Tax: Working in Washington ensures that all workers benefit from no state income tax, maximizing take-home pay.

Serving Employers in:
Lakewood • Tacoma • Fife • Puyallup • University Place

Lakewood Employers Trust Us Because:

“Good company with good track record of providing quality workers.”
— Private Client Employer

“Communication is solid. We get updates, real support, and people who fit the job. Wonderful people to work with.”
— Private Client Employer

Read More Employer Testimonials

Google Rating: ★★★★☆

Feedback