Washington State commands one of the most active naval and commercial maritime corridors on the Pacific Coast, with major shipyards, Coast Guard operations, and a deep skilled trades workforce anchored in Puget Sound.
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Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Vigor Industrial, and the U.S. Coast Guard anchor Washington's maritime workforce alongside a growing network of commercial ferry operators and defense support contractors.
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton is one of the largest naval ship repair and maintenance facilities in the United States, overhauling aircraft carriers, submarines, and surface ships for the Pacific Fleet. It is among the largest employers in the state.
🌐 ~14,000 federal civilian employees
Vigor Industrial operates major shipbuilding and repair facilities in Seattle, building and servicing commercial vessels, barges, and government craft. It is the largest commercial shipyard on the West Coast and a key partner to the Washington State Ferry system.
🌐 ~2,000 WA employees
The Coast Guard maintains a major operational presence across Puget Sound, supporting vessel inspections, search and rescue operations, and port security. Coast Guard facilities create sustained demand for maritime maintenance technicians and trades professionals throughout the region.
🌐 ~1,500 WA personnel
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Bremerton and Everett together host two of the Navy's most active installation complexes on the West Coast, creating decades of stable employment for shipyard trades workers across maintenance, overhaul, and modernization roles.
Washington operates the largest ferry system in the United States with more than 20 vessels serving Puget Sound routes. These ferries require continuous maintenance and repair by skilled trades workers, adding a significant civilian maritime employment layer.
The Navy's Pacific Fleet is expanding its surface ship and submarine presence, and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard is a primary beneficiary of new federal modernization contracts. Skilled workers entering the field today are positioned for decades of sustained work.
Washington maritime workers benefit from strong union coverage, competitive wages well above national average for skilled trades, and a cost-of-living environment that remains more favorable than other major West Coast metro areas for trades professionals.
Fabricate and join structural steel for Navy destroyers, ferries, and commercial vessels at Puget Sound and Everett shipyards. Welding is among the highest-demand and highest-compensated trades in Washington's maritime economy.
Install and maintain piping systems aboard naval and commercial vessels at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and regional repair facilities. A career with consistent long-term demand across both new construction and overhaul work.
Perform scheduled and corrective maintenance on vessels and dry-dock equipment across Washington's naval and commercial shipyard facilities. A hands-on stable career with strong union wages and full benefits.
Whether you are overhauling aircraft carriers at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, building vessels at Vigor Industrial in Seattle, supporting Coast Guard operations across Puget Sound, or working across Washington's ferry and commercial maritime network, careers here run deep.
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