Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities in the Local Job Market 

Compiled by Elizabeth Court, Economic Development Principal, KEDA

KEDA is teaming up with our education partner, West Sound STEM, to evaluate Bureau of Labor Statistics and Employment Security Department data. This helps us identify which employers are among those doing the most hiring in our community, as well as the industries and occupations in high demand. Scroll down to take a look at March 2025 data in our blog post.

Despite ongoing uncertainty around inflation and trade issues, many Kitsap County employers are continuing to hire at a solid pace. A large local manufacturer, for example, is looking to fill approximately 60 direct team member roles—including welders and marine systems technicians—along with about 20 supporting positions in engineering, accounting, QA, and project management.

A persistent challenge for manufacturers remains finding qualified technical trades employees. However, with a slight uptick in unemployment, some employers are seeing more applicants for staff roles like continuous improvement, purchasing, and accounting.

Port Madison Enterprises, one of the county’s largest employers, currently has 53 job openings. St. Michael Medical Center has 81 positions posted (including multiple postings for roles such as RNs), representing a 7% decrease from last quarter. Kitsap County government lists 18 openings, down by 16 from Q4 2024.

The City of Bainbridge Island currently has six openings, while Bremerton lists 15 (including law enforcement roles). Port Orchard and Poulsbo each have four positions listed.Despite ongoing uncertainty around inflation and trade issues, many Kitsap County employers are continuing to hire at a solid pace. A large local manufacturer, for example, is looking to fill approximately 60 direct team member roles—including welders and marine systems technicians—along with about 20 supporting positions in engineering, accounting, QA, and project management.

A persistent challenge for manufacturers remains finding qualified technical trades employees. However, with a slight uptick in unemployment, some employers are seeing more applicants for staff roles like continuous improvement, purchasing, and accounting.

Port Madison Enterprises, one of the county’s largest employers, currently has 53 job openings. St. Michael Medical Center has 81 positions posted (including multiple postings for roles such as RNs), representing a 7% decrease from last quarter. Kitsap County government lists 18 openings, down by 16 from Q4 2024.

The City of Bainbridge Island currently has six openings, while Bremerton lists 15 (including law enforcement roles). Port Orchard and Poulsbo each have four positions listed.

Table 1 provides estimates of current job postings by company or organization.

Tables 2. and Table 3. provide estimates of total open positions by occupation and industry, respectively. 

  US Bureau of Labor Statistics and Washington State Employment Security Department - all data are subject to revision.

Table 4. Kitsap County – Employment Comparison[1]