When you think of Seattle, you may automatically think of Microsoft. Though it's definitely a top name in Seattle, there are a great many other technical firms that have helped trade schools offering degree, certificate, and diploma programs in every aspect of information technology flourish in the city. You may also want to consider the nearly unlimited spectrum of other courses and training available at Seattle vocational schools and technical schools. Whether you want a job in healthcare, manufacturing, real estate, or financial services, Seattle has a trade school that will fit your needs perfectly. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) cites selected job statistics for metro Seattle in May 2009 as follows:
- Education and Health Services. 160,300 jobs
- Financial Activities. 85,600 jobs
- Information. 83,000 jobs
- Manufacturing. 157,800 jobs
- Professional and Business Services. 201,600 jobs
- Trade, Transportation, and Utilities. 257,100 jobs
Seattle, Washington's Economy and the Careers It Supports
Metropolitan Seattle is a major West Coast seaport, the largest city in Washington State, and the most populous northwest U.S. city, with 3.3 million residents. The city became a hotbed of computer and information technology companies in 1979, when Microsoft moved its headquarters from New Mexico to Bellevue, a Seattle suburb. Other important Seattle employment sectors include large and small aircraft manufacturing, the cruise industry, and health care. CNN.com puts the median Seattle family salary at $77, 468 in 2008; BLS lists the following 2008 median hourly wages for selected jobs in Seattle:
- Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels at $33.88
- Chefs and Head Cooks at $22.16
- Computer Programmers at $43.03
- Computer Software Applications Engineers at $44.16
- Mechanical Drafters at $30.80
- Occupational Therapist Assistants at $24.25
Seattle is a city of diverse industries and has the trade schools to support them. Whether you're interested in working in the technology, manufacturing, leisure and recreation, or health care sectors, enrolling at a Seattle vocational school is a fruitful first step.
