Seattle lies inside Puget Sound in the lush Pacific Northwest of North America. It is located in King County, Washington, below British Columbia with its First Nations reserves and popular tourist and wedding destinations on Vancouver Island. Seattle is also a primary component of the large Seattle-Bellevue-Everett Metropolitan Area.

The state labor entities report that the Seattle metro area increased job by 9% from 2007 - 2007 after a downturn suffered in the 1990s and early 2000s. Jobs continued to be added to the economy after 2007-2008; however, inflation/cost of living increased as well.

Top 10 Seattle Growth Industries

1. Software Publishers
2. Chemical Manufacturing
3. Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
4. Health Promotion Education & General Education Services
5. Private Education Services
6. Healthcare
7. Social Assistance
8. Tourism: Accommodations & Food Services; Leisure & Hospitality
9. Arts, Entertainment, Recreation
10. Federal, State and Local Governments, incuding Military

One emphasis in Seattle Business and Government is that of Sustainability, which impacts all industries in a spreading initiative. The city has become recognized globally for Sustainable Building.materials, techniques, and accomplishments. New construction, especially, is dedicated to energy and water efficiency, waste reduction, maximization of recycled material, healthy environments for employees, and environmentally aware planning.

Seattle supports a larger number of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)- Certified professionals than any other US city.

The Sustainable Building Industry is another forecast to grow and contribute more heavily to the economy of the Greater Seattle Area and King County. In addition, Seatlle and King County have the largest number of Green Jobs (30% of the state total) in Washington.

The federal and state labor departments predict that the jobs in highest demand in the Greater Seattle Area through 2016 include Information Technology and Healthcare industries in the following job titles:

1. Computer and Information Research Scientists - IT Research and development.
2. Chiropractors - Healthcare.
3. Computer Systems Software Engineers - IT
4. Multi-Media Artists & Animators - IT, graphic arts.
5. Computer Programmers - IT
6. Optometrists - Healthcare
7. Technical Writers - IT, other tech.
8. Massage Therapists - Healthcare
9. Physical Therapist Aides - Healthcare
10. Occupational Therapist Assistants - Healthcare

Adduitional high demand jobs predicted include:

1. Computer Software Applications Engineers - IT
2. Computer Specialists - IT
3. Mathematics & Science Specialists - In a variety of technologies, research, and education.
4. Computer Systems Analysts - IT
5. Market Research Analysts - IT
6. Other Computer Managers and Specialists - IT
7. Office and Administrative Support - Clerical

The following are the leading job title postings in the largest numbers in mid-June 2009 on the Job search Engine Indeed.com. INDEED gathers postings from 1000s of job listing sites across the nation. Out of 39,200+ jobs listed, the following were in the highest demand:

1. Software Development Engineers - Applications development.
2. Program Managers
3. Physical Therapists and PT Assistants
4. Occupational Therapists and OT Assistants
5. Administrative Assistants
6. Software Design Engineers
7. Salespersons and Sales Managers
8. Product Managers
9. Senior Accountants
10. Medical Assistants

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The three job titles in bold print match jobs indicated on the predicted high demand list through 2016, above.

Largest employers, by size of staff:

1. University of Washington - Education/research
2. SeaTac International Airport - Transportation
3. Swedish Medical Canter - Healthcare
4. University of Washington Ob/Gyn Division - Healthcare
5. Virginia Mason Nutrition Specialty - Healthcare
6. Virginia Mason Medical Center - Healthcare
7. Varilite - maker of Surgical and Medical Instruments - Healthcare Mfg.
8. Costco - Buying club - Retail sales, grocery
9. VA Puget Sound Healthcare System - Healthcare
10. Children's Hospital and Medical Center - Healthcare

Largest employers in nearby Redmond:

1. Microsoft Corporation - IT
2. Genie Financial Services - Finance
3. Genei Industries - Packaging and large containers.
4. Eastside Hospital and Specialties - Healthcare

Largest Employers in nearby Tacoma:

Most of these top employers in involved in Healthcare.

1. Tacoma General Hospital - A Multicare non-proiit company hospital.
2. Multicare Hospice and Palliative Care
3. Multicare Hospital
4. St. Joseph Medical Center
5. Madigan Army Medical Center
6. Mary Bridge Children's Hospital
7. Tacoma City Government - Government

• Antioch University - Seattle
• Argosy University - Seattle Campus
• Art Institute of Seattle
• ASUW Experimental College - Ongoing community education in a variety of courses.
• Business Career Training Institute
• Cornish College of the Arts
• Everest College
• Hillsdale College
• International Academy of Design and Technology
• ITT Technical Institute
• Seattle Community College - Central, North, and South Campuses
• Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine: 3-year programs.
• Seattle Pacific University
• Seattle University
• Shoreline Community College
• University of Phoenix at Seattle
• University of Washington, Seattle Campus