Fastest declining jobs in Washington, 2024–34
Ranked by projected percent change in employment from 2024 to 2034 in Washington, most negative first. A declining projection does not mean a job is disappearing — most of these still hire steadily to replace people who leave.
Where these projections come from: State projections are produced by Washington's own workforce agency and collected by Projections Central — the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes projections only at the national level. Methodology varies by state, so these are not directly comparable with the national figures. Wages remain BLS OEWS.
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Projections: Projections Central, 2024–34
| # | Occupation | MedianWashington | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Growth 2024–34 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | News Analysts, Reporters, and JournalistsBachelor's degree | $54,760 | $39,160 – $125,750 | -15.8% |
| 2 | Logging Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent | $67,650 | $46,680 – $94,700 | -14.4% |
| 3 | Switchboard Operators, Including Answering ServiceHigh school diploma or equivalent | $47,800 | $36,850 – $60,590 | -12.3% |
| 4 | Print Binding and Finishing WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $45,300 | $36,300 – $62,380 | -11.1% |
| 5 | Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent | $47,230 | $39,670 – $61,690 | -11.0% |
| 6 | Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine OperatorsNo formal educational credential | $59,490 | $45,530 – $75,280 | -9.0% |
| 7 | Travel AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $55,260 | $45,190 – $92,390 | -9.0% |
| 8 | Floral DesignersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $44,460 | $37,710 – $56,560 | -8.4% |
| 9 | Dental Laboratory TechniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent | $56,400 | $39,970 – $78,340 | -7.9% |
| 10 | Logging Equipment OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $75,140 | $61,300 – $83,750 | -7.7% |
| 11 | Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent | $65,760 | $36,210 – $110,420 | -7.6% |
| 12 | Machine Feeders and OffbearersNo formal educational credential | $45,600 | $38,790 – $56,300 | -7.5% |
| 13 | Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $50,430 | $42,470 – $70,510 | -7.4% |
| 14 | Cabinetmakers and Bench CarpentersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $48,710 | $39,590 – $66,570 | -7.3% |
| 15 | TapersNo formal educational credential | $79,040 | $50,650 – $103,880 | -7.2% |
| 16 | Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine RepairersSome college, no degree | $49,050 | $39,090 – $74,830 | -7.0% |
| 17 | Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except SawingHigh school diploma or equivalent | $52,980 | $43,990 – $61,440 | -6.5% |
| 18 | Helpers--CarpentersNo formal educational credential | $46,060 | $41,990 – $60,040 | -6.2% |
| 19 | Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble SettersNo formal educational credential | $76,180 | $52,430 – $107,610 | -6.1% |
| 20 | Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent | $48,290 | $38,880 – $70,000 | -5.6% |
| 21 | Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $59,410 | $44,640 – $74,410 | -5.5% |
| 22 | Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $44,510 | $39,560 – $69,960 | -4.9% |
| 23 | Tile and Stone SettersNo formal educational credential | $77,920 | $56,560 – $102,720 | -4.4% |
| 24 | Postal Service ClerksNo formal educational credential | $61,570 | $42,600 – $75,030 | -4.3% |
| 25 | Data Entry KeyersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $47,480 | $38,070 – $63,790 | -4.3% |
| 26 | Postal Service Mail CarriersNo formal educational credential | $59,990 | $43,120 – $81,040 | -4.2% |
| 27 | Sewing Machine OperatorsNo formal educational credential | $43,360 | $37,180 – $50,180 | -4.0% |
| 28 | Drywall and Ceiling Tile InstallersNo formal educational credential | $73,130 | $50,360 – $127,970 | -3.9% |
| 29 | Brickmasons and BlockmasonsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $83,190 | $55,240 – $113,100 | -3.8% |
| 30 | Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and WallNo formal educational credential | $67,750 | $45,380 – $132,770 | -3.7% |
| 31 | Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, WoodHigh school diploma or equivalent | $51,940 | $39,730 – $63,180 | -3.4% |
| 32 | Furniture FinishersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $42,990 | $36,420 – $60,650 | -3.3% |
| 33 | Production Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent | $47,060 | $40,650 – $79,580 | -3.2% |
| 34 | Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent | $49,300 | $38,630 – $70,320 | -3.2% |
| 35 | Printing Press OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $49,800 | $39,660 – $70,030 | -3.2% |
| 36 | Carpet InstallersNo formal educational credential | $54,830 | $43,490 – $138,980 | -3.1% |
| 37 | GlaziersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $66,860 | $46,650 – $131,280 | -2.9% |
| 38 | Helpers--Production WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $45,450 | $37,020 – $60,560 | -2.8% |
| 39 | Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent | $51,780 | $43,010 – $68,170 | -2.8% |
| 40 | Painters, Construction and MaintenanceNo formal educational credential | $59,650 | $45,450 – $80,330 | -2.7% |
| 41 | Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $58,580 | $47,200 – $72,680 | -2.7% |
| 42 | Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent | $50,540 | $37,770 – $77,110 | -2.5% |
| 43 | Designers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $57,510 | $46,030 – $111,970 | -2.3% |
| 44 | Agricultural Workers, All OtherNo formal educational credential | $43,930 | $35,210 – $89,510 | -2.1% |
| 45 | Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related MaterialsNo formal educational credential | $37,620 | $35,820 – $46,280 | -2.0% |
| 46 | Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and TrimmersNo formal educational credential | $43,010 | $36,600 – $52,470 | -2.0% |
| 47 | Slaughterers and Meat PackersNo formal educational credential | $45,100 | $40,610 – $55,740 | -1.9% |
| 48 | RoofersNo formal educational credential | $60,640 | $47,860 – $104,000 | -1.9% |
| 49 | Locomotive EngineersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $73,750 | $59,610 – $91,140 | -1.9% |
| 50 | Food Cooking Machine Operators and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $51,100 | $41,060 – $60,660 | -1.9% |