Targeted Industries
The Spokane Workforce Council carefully analyzes changes and trends within the regional labor market and economy to determine its targeted industries.
Targeted industries are chosen based upon livable wages at middle skills, strength of the industry in our local economy, and career opportunities available in the industry.
View the entire Washington State Occupational Demand/Decline list
Finance & Insurance
Spokane’s Finance and Insurance sector offers one of the highest average annual wages of the targeted industries.
The sector’s recovery from the recession has been led by job growth in the Insurance Agencies and Brokerages, Credit Unions, and Medical Insurance Carriers subsectors.
As the regulatory environment continues to evolve in health insurance and financial activities, more jobs are expected to be created in order to manage the changing landscape. The increased property sales volume throughout the Spokane region, in both commercial and residential real estate, is also driving job growth within the Mortgage Loan subsector.
2026 Industry Jobs in Spokane County
9,308
Total Change Over the Last Five Years
-1,156
Five Year Change
-11%
Average Annual Wages in Industry
$133,370
Source: Lightcast 2026.1 for Spokane County
Healthcare
The Healthcare and Social Assistance sector is by far the fastest growing industry in Spokane County.
In just the past five years, nearly 4,000 healthcare and social assistance related jobs have been created locally, and strong continued new job growth is forecast for the sector. Spokane is the regional hub for health care in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho, with a diverse cluster of hospitals, research facilities, labs, education, and clinics.
Spokane is now home to two separate medical schools, the Washington State University medical school on the Riverpoint campus, and a University of Washington and Gonzaga University joint venture on the Gonzaga campus. As the Baby Boom generation increases demand for medical services and the area’s population continues to expand, Spokane’s healthcare industry is expected to experience further growth.
2026 Industry Jobs in Spokane County
51,537
Total Change Over the Last Five Years
+5,763
Five Year Change
13%
Average Annual Wages in Industry
$81,726
Source: Lightcast 2026.1 for Spokane County
Manufacturing
The Manufacturing industry in Spokane County has rebounded over the last decade with steady year-over-year job growth.
The rebound has been led in part by the Aerospace Manufacturing subsector, which now has more than 120 manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and related organizations located throughout the Spokane region. Spokane has a unique mix of factors giving it a competitive advantage in the Manufacturing sector – Low cost for utilities, low cost for land, a well-established school-to-work talent pipeline, and an easily accessible multi-modal transportation network of air, rail, and road. The Spokane region is also strong in the manufacturing of medical equipment, wood and paper products, and metals.
The manufacturing industry faces numerous challenges in creating new job growth, from technology and automation reducing the number of workers needed, to international demand and low cost competition. On the other hand, many of the workers employed in manufacturing are nearing retirement age, and developing a pool of talented workers to fulfill the expected replacement demand will be vital in keeping the industry strong.
2026 Industry Jobs in Spokane County
16,789
Total Change Over the Last Five Years
+952
Five Year Change
6%
Average Annual Wages in Industry
$93,278
Source: Lightcast 2026.1 for Spokane County
Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
The Business and Professional Services sector and its Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services subsector is another vital and growing component of the Spokane area economy.
This sector contains many of the knowledge industries and offers good career opportunities with living wage jobs to young people and other graduates of the Spokane region’s educational institutions.
As the global economy continues to become more digital and technologically based, many jobs within this sector are projected to have steady demand, especially those requiring computer programming and software development skills. Expanding this sector will be vital to retaining more of the region’s recent college graduates and younger talent, as larger metro areas like Seattle and Portland, with more robust Information Technology sectors, tend to draw workers away from the Spokane area.
2025 Industry Jobs in Spokane County
14,286
Total Change Over the Last Five Years
+912
Five Year Change
7%
Average Annual Wages in Industry
$108,887
Source: Lightcast 2026.1 for Spokane County
Transportation & Warehousing
The Transportation and Warehousing sector is an increasingly important element of economic growth for the Spokane region.
Spokane is the largest city between Seattle and Minneapolis-St. Paul and has traditionally served as a major link for air, rail, and road transport. The Spokane International Airport (GEG) is conveniently located just minutes from downtown Spokane, and the Interstate 90 Freeway bisects the city, which makes virtually all parts of Spokane easily accessible by trucks and freight.
The City of Spokane and Spokane County created a Public Development Authority (PDA) at the Spokane International Airport to help incentivize economic development in the West Plains. Amazon opened a distribution center within the PDA in 2020, and further economic development is expected for that area, as a transportation and warehousing, and manufacturing cluster is developed. The North Spokane Corridor is now fully funded and being built out, which will create new opportunities for transportation and warehousing businesses to locate along a new major highway system in Spokane.
2026 Industry Jobs in Spokane County
11,927
Total Change Over the Last Five Years
+691
Five Year Change
6%
Average Annual Wages in Industry
$68,627
Source: Lightcast 2026.1 for Spokane County
Construction
The Construction sector is an increasingly important element of economic growth for the Spokane region.
Spokane is the largest metropolitan area between Seattle and Minneapolis-St. Paul, and steady population growth has kept builders busy across residential, commercial, and industrial markets. Demand for new housing remains strong, while healthcare systems, school districts, and logistics operators continue to invest in new facilities throughout the region. Local apprenticeship programs and community college training pipelines feed a deep bench of skilled trades workers, giving contractors the labor base they need to bid on larger and more complex projects.
Several ongoing developments are shaping the sector's outlook. The City of Spokane and Spokane County established a Public Development Authority (PDA) at the Spokane International Airport to spur economic activity in the West Plains, and the resulting industrial growth, which includes Amazon's distribution center that opened in 2020, has driven consistent demand for site work, tilt-up construction, and supporting trades. The North Spokane Corridor is now fully funded and actively under construction, creating years of road, bridge, and infrastructure work along with new commercial corridors where additional building activity is expected to follow.
2024 Industry Jobs in Spokane County
16,603
Total Change Over the Last Five Years
+573
Five Year Change
4%
Average Annual Wages in Industry
$81,292
Source: Lightcast 2026.1 for Spokane County
Retail Trade
Retail Trade is one of the most visible and accessible sectors in Spokane County's economy.
From nationally recognized grocery chains and big-box retailers to locally owned specialty shops and neighborhood convenience stores, retail forms the commercial backbone of communities across the region. Spokane's steady population growth and role as a regional shopping hub for eastern Washington and northern Idaho have kept the sector active and resilient, drawing customers from well beyond the county line.
The retail workforce spans a wide range of roles, from sales associates and cashiers to pharmacy technicians, store managers, and logistics support staff. The sector is particularly accessible for workers entering the job market for the first time, offering flexible scheduling and transferable skills that open doors across many other industries. Major employers like Albertsons, Safeway, Kroger, Walmart, and Walgreens are among the most consistent hirers in the region.
As consumer habits continue to evolve, Spokane's retail sector has shown an ability to adapt, blending in-person shopping experiences with growing demands for convenience, product knowledge, and customer service. Workforce development and training programs that build skills in merchandising, inventory management, and loss prevention help connect job seekers to stable, community-facing careers.
2026 Industry Jobs in Spokane County
27,598
Total Change Over the Last Five Years
-593
Five Year Change
-2%
Average Annual Wages in Industry
$54,375
Source: Lightcast 2026.1 for Spokane County
Accommodations & Food Services
The Accommodation and Food Services sector is a vital part of Spokane County's economy and community identity.
Spokane's growing tourism base, vibrant downtown dining scene, and major hospitality venues have made this sector a consistent source of employment across the region. From full-service restaurants and regional hotel brands to quick-service chains and entertainment destinations like Northern Quest Resort & Casino, the industry offers a wide range of career pathways for workers at every skill level.
The sector draws on a diverse and experienced workforce, with particular strength in food preparation, hospitality management, and customer-facing roles. Employers consistently seek workers with skills in restaurant operations, food safety, and guest services — reflecting an industry built on quality experiences and repeat customers.
Looking ahead, Spokane's continued population growth and expanding visitor economy are expected to sustain demand for accommodation and food services workers. Local training programs and workforce development initiatives play an important role in connecting job seekers to opportunities in this accessible and growing sector.
2026 Industry Jobs in Spokane County
20,424
Total Change Over the Last Five Years
+1,750
Five Year Change
9%
Average Annual Wages in Industry
$34,328
Source: Lightcast 2026.1 for Spokane County