Workforce & Education

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The Yakima County Development Association works closely with public and private organizations to help employers tap placement and training assistance. An available, hardworking labor force is an invaluable asset for businesses that are expanding in Yakima County. Tax credit and on-the-job training programs are available for these firms, and they are especially beneficial for companies new to the area:

► A Sizable Labor Market
► Positive Employment Trends
► An Available Labor Force
► Competitive Wage Rates
► Comparitive Median Wage
► Higher Education & Training
► K-12 Education
► Post-Secondary Enrollment

A Sizable Labor Market

Yakima County’s total non agricultural employment in June 2005 was 77,200. The labor force fluctuates throughout the year due largely to seasonal agricultural activity and ranged in size from 106,000 in January to 123,900 in September. The average unemployment rate was 7.7%, which represents an average of approximately 8,700 people monthly looking for work.

Overall, Yakima County’s median age (2005 estimates) is 32.3. For men the median age is 31.1 and for women it is 33.6.
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Positive Employment Trends

Yakima County’s employment outlook has been one of continued growth. Since 2000, jobs have increased by 11.2 percent in the county compared to 7.9 percent statewide.
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An Available Labor Force

With increased economic activity taking place in the Yakima County area, significant growth is also being seen in the size of the labor force. A strong concentration of both males and females in the 15 to 34 year old age group account for a good portion of that growth. For fiscal year 2005, there were a total of 5,200 listed openings through the WorkSource Center in Yakima County. During the same period, there were 15,550 applicants for job openings.
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Competitive Wage Rates

Low prevailing wage rates are the norm for a vast majority of occupations, particularly when compared to other parts of the state, region, and nation.
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Comparative Median Wage

Occupation Yakima MSA Spokane MSA Seattle MSA Richland - Kennewick - Pasco MSA
Electrician $19.78 $16.94 $27.14 $24.62
Laborer $7.95 $9.75 $11.07 $10.63
Machinist $13.69 $13.44 $19.28  
Maintenance Mechanic $15.17 $11.58 $18.78 $14.55
Shipper $9.79 $10.30 $12.92 $11.02
Truck Driver $14.02 $14.60 $17.62 $14.77
Warehouse Worker $8.11 $8.84 $10.58 $9.33
Welder/Flame Cutter $13.03 $14.72 $16.08 $14.80
Plant Manager $30.46 $31.59 $37.97 $36.66
Electronic Engineers $24.49 $27.74 $27.09  
Metal & Plastic Workers $12.50 $12.53 $15.78 $15.07
Cashiers $7.88 $7.96 $8.96 $7.68
Computer Operators $11.37 $13.39 $17.46 $11.84
Data Entry Keyers $9.82 $9.50 $11.59 $10.66
Office Admin. Assistance>$11.45 $11.44 $13.64 $11.51
Word Processors/Typist $10.75 $11.92 $14.25 $12.11

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Education & Training

Yakima County offers a complete range of educational resources. Options range from a private technical college and major university to a number of specialized vocational training programs. Parents can choose from a wide variety of public and private educational settings for their children.
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Yakima Valley Community College

YVCC is a public two-year institution. It provides lower division college arts and sciences, university transfer, and vocational/technical education. YVCC offers vocational programs in information technology and provides customized training for local companies.
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Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences

The Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) will train 75 new primary care physicians per year beginning in 2008. PNWU is staffed by academic instructors and practicing physicians from both the osteopathic and allopathic professions with a student body soon to be near 280.
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Washington State University Learning Center

Washington State University Learning Center is a higher education center offering four-year and postgraduate degrees in partnership with Central Washington University and Washington State University. It is located on the campus of Yakima Valley Community College.
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Central Washington University

CWU is a branch of the state of Washington’s higher education system. It offers undergraduate degrees in the arts and sciences, business, professional education, certain technical fields, and graduate degrees at the master’s level in arts and sciences and professional education.
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Heritage University

A four-year university, Heritage is a private institution whose major fields of concentration are teacher education, business administration, and social sciences. Graduate level courses are available in education and social sciences.
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Perry Technical Institute

Perry Technical offers a nationally recognized vocational/technical program. In cooperation with Central Washington University, offering extension programs in engineering, robotics, and other technology.
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K-12 Education

Fifteen school districts within Yakima County provide a sound, quality education for a total enrollment of 50,216 students. Schools here have received national recognition for their high quality education programs. Yakima has one of only two high schools in Washington State authorized to prepare students for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. Vocational Education programs at the high school level are available to students from participating school districts at the publicly supported Vocational Skills Center in Yakima. Training is comparable to that received on the job in business and industry.
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Post-Secondary Enrollment Figures

Institute Enrollment
Central Washington University 9,658
Heritage University 1,295
Yakima Valley Community College 10,800
Perry Technical Institute 490
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences 75

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