Jobs in Longview WA

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

Featured jobs in Longview WA

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The Workforce Roots of Longview WA

The Workforce Roots of Longview, WA, are highly unique because the entire city was planned and built from scratch in the 1920s with the sole purpose of supporting a massive timber and industrial operation, making its economy fundamentally rooted in heavy manufacturing and maritime trade

Foundation: Lumber and Logging

Longview was founded and financed by Robert A. Long, president of the Long-Bell Lumber Company, which needed a site for the largest sawmill complex in the world after depleting its southern timber holdings.

Planned City: Long-Bell purchased approximately 14,000 acres and hired city planners to design a complete, modern city to support the estimated 14,000 workers required to run the massive mill operations. This meant the initial workforce was overwhelmingly drawn to jobs in logging, sawmilling, and related industrial production.
Industrial Labor: The earliest jobs were defined by heavy industrial labor, lumber processing, and railroad/transportation to move the finished wood products.

Evolution: Port and Diversified Manufacturing

The city was designed with an international port and dedicated industrial areas to ensure long-term growth beyond just lumber.

Port Operations: The establishment of the Port of Longview on the Columbia River fueled a large workforce in maritime trade, logistics, and freight handling.
Diversification: The local economy quickly expanded into secondary manufacturing, notably with Longview Fibre Company opening its pulp and paper mill in 1927, which utilized the waste wood from Long-Bell’s operations.

Today, Longview’s workforce remains heavily rooted in Manufacturing (paper, wood, aluminum) and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, utilizing the skilled industrial labor and strategic Columbia River access that defined its founding.

TOP INDUSTRIES IN LONGVIEW

The Longview area is the industrial heart of Cowlitz County. Manufacturing is the top industry by total payroll and provides some of the highest wages in the region. While historically dominated by timber, the sector has diversified significantly.

Manufacturing
- Pulp and Paper Manufacturing
  
  This industry remains a core employer in the region, focusing on large-scale production of paper, packaging, and related materials.
  
  Differentiation Point: Roles such as Paper Goods Machine Setters and Operators have a high concentration in the Longview-Kelso area.
- Specialized Industrial Production
  
  The manufacturing sector has broadened to include the fabrication of metal products, machinery, chemicals, and food processing.
  
  Differentiation Point: The Production occupational group is highly concentrated in the Longview-Kelso area, accounting for 10.9% of total employment (nearly double the national average of 5.7%).
- Trade, Transportation, and Warehousing
  
  Longview’s strategic position on the Columbia River and I-5 corridor makes this a critical sector for the movement of goods. This sector is among the highest-compensating in the county.
- Skilled Industrial Services
  
  The high concentration of industrial facilities ensures a steady demand for skilled trades, including millwrights, welders, and maintenance technicians.
  
  Differentiation Point: The Installation, Maintenance, and Repair occupational group is a significant part of the Longview-Kelso area's workforce.
Health Care & Social Assistance

This is a major and growing service-providing sector, representing one of the largest employers in the area. PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center is the largest healthcare employer, creating a constant need for Registered Nurses, medical support staff, and administrative roles.
Health Care & Social Assistance

This is a major and growing service-providing sector, representing one of the largest employers in the area. PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center is the largest healthcare employer, creating a constant need for Registered Nurses, medical support staff, and administrative roles.
Government and Education

The public sector provides a large and stable employment base. Key employers include: Local and State Government entities. Educational Institutions such as Lower Columbia College, which offers professional and technical programs for the local workforce.

WHY WORK IN LONGVIEW, WA

Longview’s founding as a planned industrial city gives it a unique character, providing residents with stability, strong community infrastructure, and a great location in Southwest Washington.

Specialized Job Market
The local labor market is heavily concentrated in skilled occupations, including Production, Transportation, and Installation/Maintenance roles. These sectors account for a significantly higher share of employment in the Longview-Kelso area than they do nationally.
Efficient Commute Times
The Longview-Kelso area offers a highly manageable commute. Workers in the metro area benefit from a traffic-efficient structure, allowing for quick travel across the Longview and Kelso cities. Most workers drive alone, but the entire area is easy to navigate.
Lower Cost of Living Compared to Major Cities
While the overall cost of living is above the national average, Longview provides a substantially more affordable option compared to larger Washington metro areas, with high employment in the highest-compensating sectors.
Proximity to Major Metros
Longview’s location is ideal for workers seeking a balance between small-city living and big-city amenities. The city is approximately one hour’s drive from a major metropolitan area and just 45 minutes from Vancouver, WA.

Serving Employers in:
Longview • Kelso • Woodland • Kalama • Castle Rock

Longview Employers Trust Us 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

Featured jobs in Longview WA

The Workforce Roots of Longview WA

Foundation: Lumber and Logging

Evolution: Port and Diversified Manufacturing

TOP INDUSTRIES IN LONGVIEW

Manufacturing

Pulp and Paper Manufacturing

Specialized Industrial Production

Trade, Transportation, and Warehousing

Skilled Industrial Services

Health Care & Social Assistance

Health Care & Social Assistance

Government and Education

WHY WORK IN LONGVIEW, WA

Specialized Job Market

Efficient Commute Times

Lower Cost of Living Compared to Major Cities

Proximity to Major Metros