Systems analysts, computer programmers and engineering technicians. Mechanical, chemical, computer and electrical engineers. Product assemblers, material handlers and many others. The aerospace industry in Snohomish County is the epicenter of a highly skilled community of companies at the cutting edge of aviation innovation.
The backbone of Snohomish County’s aerospace dominance has long been the Boeing Co. Snohomish County is the proud home of Boeing’s largest commercial jetliner assembly operation. Boeing 747, 767 and 777 widebody jets move from a collection of components to the world’s best aircraft right here. Starting in the summer of 2007, the newest addition to this lineup is the fastest selling jet, the 787 Dreamliner.
Aerospace in Washington State is big business. Aerospace-related market activity is the nation’s largest export. Production of aircraft and parts accounts for roughly half of Snohomish County's manufacturing employment. One out of every three to six Washington State jobs is supported either directly or indirectly by the aerospace industry. Within Snohomish County alone, as many as 45,000 people are employed in this and related electronics industries.
Market potential for new commercial airplanes over the next twenty years remains high, and Snohomish County has the skilled and experienced aerospace workers to meet the demand. Snohomish County draws from a labor force of 1 million. Statewide, the Washington State labor force consistently ranks among the top five in the nation in terms of education, productivity and experience.
Snohomish County offers:
Skilled workforce
- There are five major universities in the Seattle metropolitan area
- Two award-winning community colleges support the aerospace industry with customized and specialty training
- Twenty percent of aerospace-related workers here hold professional and technical positions, including such occupations as engineers, engineering technicians, systems analysts and computer programmers
Advantageous location
- Snohomish County is located midway between Asia and Europe, equidistant from two global centers of commerce, Tokyo and London, aiding collaborative selling on any continent
- Snohomish County is located in the heart of the Puget Sound basin and within the Seattle metropolitan area
- The Port of Everett, centrally located in the county and strategically located 25 miles north of Seattle in close proximity to the Everett Boeing plant. It provides direct deepwater access and container shipping opportunities.
- The main north/south Burlington Northern/Sante Fe rail line provides excellent rail service to anywhere in the United States. U.S. Interstate 5 traverses the community and provides direct numerous truck and transportation links throughout the Puget Sound metropolitan area.
- Significantly, Snohomish County has a number of large vacant industrial properties ready for development, with land costs that are significantly less that those found in neighboring King County.
Tax advantages
- Washington State offers a number of significant tax advantages and incentives specifically for the aerospace industry.
- Washington State has no corporate income tax, no personal income tax, no unitary tax, and no tax on interest, dividends, or capital gains.
Snohomish County invites you to join its growing community of aerospace leaders.