The 10 Best Jobs In Washington For 2026 College Grads

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Fastest Growing Jobs In Washington

Source: Wikipedia

If you are graduating from college in 2026, you’re likely asking yourself: what’s next?

For many, the immediate answer is to secure a job. Unfortunately, many graduates still face challenges in finding suitable employment. In response to these concerns, we’ve conducted thorough research to help you navigate the current job landscape.

After analyzing recent data, we’ve identified the 10 best jobs for 2026 college graduates in Washington. Here they are:

Wondering about the relevance of web developers in today’s job market? You’ll want to read on to discover how we compiled this list and the rationale behind each job’s inclusion.

How We Determined the Best Entry-Level Jobs in Washington

We’ve engaged in extensive discussions with recent college graduates to understand what they seek in their first job. Their priorities typically include:

Availability of jobs
Location
Salary
Potential for growth
Work-life balance

Fortunately, there is a wealth of data from various sources that addresses these criteria. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides salary data by location, while each state’s Department of Labor tracks job growth statistics. Additionally, O*NET Online, a government resource, offers insights into job requirements.

We compiled this data into a comprehensive database covering numerous professions. Specifically, we focused on the following criteria:

Location quotient: A measure of job prevalence in a specific state.
Jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree in Washington.
Average annual entry-level salary.
Projected industry growth over the next decade.

Narrowing our dataset to positions that require a bachelor’s degree, we ranked 37 jobs based on these criteria.

Each job was assigned a ranking from 1 to 37, with 1 being the most favorable. Our final score, or “Job Score,” was determined by averaging these rankings, and we then ranked all jobs accordingly.

One Job, Please

Graduating from college can feel daunting, but remember, it’s also an exciting time filled with opportunities. You have a plethora of choices, from various job options to exciting experiences like travel. With this list in hand, the job market is yours to explore.

Below is a detailed look at the best jobs for 2026 college graduates in the Evergreen State.

Detailed List Of The Best Entry-Level Jobs In Washington For 2026 College Grads

Rank	Job	Growth %	Entry Wage	Jobs in 2024
1	Web Developers	51.62%	$45,000	8,430
2	Multimedia Artists and Animators	32.7%	$42,040	4,180
3	Computer Systems Analysts	30.03%	$58,810	24,290
4	Computer Programmers	21.53%	$67,180	20,600
5	Management Analysts	27.28%	$53,380	29,110
6	Technical Writers	27.05%	$50,870	1,550
7	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	24.84%	$53,570	9,950
8	Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers	22.32%	$41,980	2,740
9	Database Administrators	25.98%	$52,620	3,200
10	Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates	10.81%	$57,190	1,230
11	Sales Engineers	24.37%	$59,620	1,480
12	Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health	34.48%	$28,000	1,170
13	Human Resources Specialists	21.95%	$38,960	17,720
14	Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors	22.97%	$25,220	4,390
15	Industrial Engineers	1.89%	$65,770	8,070
16	Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists	20.4%	$49,460	4,190
17	Electronics Engineers, Except Computer	9.94%	$71,110	3,980
18	Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education	18.61%	$37,140	5,800
19	Computer Network Support Specialists	21.9%	$45,540	4,230
20	Cost Estimators	16.48%	$41,810	7,140
21	Self-Enrichment Education Teachers	20.02%	$24,650	14,690
22	Interior Designers	17.17%	$32,420	2,730
23	Rehabilitation Counselors	9.27%	$25,590	6,720
24	Coaches and Scouts	14.95%	$21,480	15,220
25	Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians	21.38%	$30,460	3,690
26	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products	23.81%	$32,680	5,720
27	Forest and Conservation Workers	5.51%	$19,600	1,340
28	Social and Human Service Assistants	16.62%	$21,500	11,930
29	Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents	0.0%	$42,010	1,170
30	Paralegals and Legal Assistants	8.39%	$36,630	6,460
31	Clergy	12.94%	$38,200	4,800
32	Advertising Sales Agents	17.92%	$23,370	3,290
33	Community Health Workers	17.89%	$24,640	1,120
34	Insurance Sales Agents	4.68%	$26,420	12,090
35	Directors, Religious Activities and Education	12.5%	$28,570	2,520
36	Recreation Workers	13.86%	$20,390	7,720
37	Residential Advisors	16.19%	$21,160	1,220

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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