Employment

Whidbey Island is a rural area and job opportunities for professional and technical careers are limited; however, it is a growing community and many service industry positions are available. Island County’s estimated population in 2021 was 87,100, with Oak Harbor the largest city with an estimated population of 24,690.

Because opportunities are limited and competition is tough, a good, targeted resume, strong cover letter, excellent interviewing skills, follow-up techniques, networking and persistence are necessary when applying. To review data and analysis of Washington State’s employment conditions, economy, job market and workforce, visit the  state’s Employment Security Department’s website. For Island County specific labor market Information, visit its website.

Oak Harbor is located in Island County, which consists of both Whidbey and Camano islands. The current unemployment rate for Island County is 5.3%, above the state average of 4.7%. The 2019 median household income in Oak Harbor was $72,066, with an average annual wage of $46,301 and median hourly wage of $23.32 for 2020; the 2020 average per capita personal income was $59,200. Washington State's minimum wage is $15.74 per hour as of January 1, 2023. Cashiers, food preparation workers, medical and nursing assistants and customer service representatives are always in demand on the island.

The state’s ESD provides occupational employment statistics regarding wage ranges. The salary ranges below are from the occupational employment and wage estimates for Island County (not exclusively Island County) in 2022. This information is available in PDF and Excel formats.

Additional reports are available for download in the report library.

• Occupation: Low Salary/Hour, Median Salary/Hour, High Salary/Hour
• Automotive technicians: $17.46, $25.19, $29.25
• Cashiers:$14.85, 16.57, $17.44
• Customer service rep: $14.61, $18.55, $20.51
• Food preparation workers: $14.62, $17.35, $18.72
• Human resources assistant: $21.07, $23.50, $24.91
• Nursing assistants: $15.23, $17.80, $19.16
• Registered nurse: $33.60, $43.85, $48.98
• Dental assistants: $18.23, $23.04, $25.45
• Waiters/waitresses: $14.76, $19.54, $21.92

The federal government is the largest employer in Island County with approximately 9K employees (including active duty and Department of Defense and non-appropriated fund civilians, and contractors); however, opportunities are limited due to funding constraints. The school districts are the next largest employer, followed by the medical and service industry (clerks, cashiers, restaurants and fast food).

The Fleet and Family Support Center's (FFSC) goal in the Family Employment Readiness Program (FERP) is to assist all eligible family members to learn how to write a resume and cover letter, perform local job search, and develop interview techniques and career planning. FERP has a Career Development Resource Center inside the FFSC providing updated employment opportunity binders (listing both on and off base opportunities), applications for http://www.navylifepnw.com/jobs, spousal preference forms, local college information, and current employment class flyers. FERP offers the following employment classes: Writing Your Best Resume and Federal Job Application Process. Individual consultations are available by calling the Regional Schedulers at 1-866-854-0638.

The State of Washington's Employment Security Department (ESD) is the largest and most comprehensive employment resource complete with job openings, training opportunities, wage rates, unemployment information, and much more. WorkSource is ESD's job openings portal and Whidbey Island has its own local office. WorkSource Whidbey is located at 265 Kettle Street, Suite 102 and offers a variety of employment classes, individual consultations, and computer access to job search and draft resumes or cover letters. Spouses that are forced to relocate to Northwest region where Oak Harbor is located may be considered "dislocated workers" and may be eligible for training and support services. We encourage spouses to contact your local WorkSource upon arrival for specifics.

Currently, qualifying military spouses have employment preference for both NAF (non-appropriated fund) and federal jobs (GS, WG, etc).

Job hunting assistance

For job hunting purposes we recommend you bring with you any applicable employment documents, such as current civilian or federal resume.

Spouse Licensure and/or Business Cost Credentialing Reimbursement

Spouse Licensure Reimbursement supports our spouses’ efforts to maintain a professional career, contribute to the financial well-being of their Navy family, and promote resiliency for the spouse, military member and family.

Service members may be reimbursed for a Spouses qualifying relicensing or business costs (up $1,000) related to permanent change of station moves.  For more information please refer to MILSPERSMAN 1754-040 dated March 06, 2023 or schedule an appointment with a spouse/family employment specialist 866-854-0638.

More than 270,000 people are discharged or retired from the military each year, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Transition Assistance Program provides an array of services and benefits to the service member and his/her spouse or partner. These services and benefits are prescribed by legislation. Beyond our transition classes, TAP can assist you in the following ways: resume and cover letter writing, job search, interview prep, career planning and coaching. Career assessments such as Myers Briggs Type Indicator are available to narrow future career or educational goals.

Spouses and partners are highly encouraged and welcome to attend all TAP classes and employment workshops.

TAP classes include presentations on veterans’ benefits, transition services, resume preparation, job-hunting skills, a job search overview and interviewing skills, with the following classes offered:

• Separatee TAP is a three-day class for individuals who are separating from the military.
• Retiree TAP is a three-day class for individuals who are retiring from the military.
• A 1.5 Navy Spouse in Transition class is offered for those spouses that cannot attend our three-day workshops. Check our quarterly schedules for dates and times. Also, the Dept. of Labor offers virtual courses through DOL TEAMS, please reach out to our Transition team to learn more.
• Additionally, there are four two-day tracks that transitioning service members can attend.

To register for any of these classes, you need to contact your command career counselor for class dates and times request to attend. Upon completion of a TAP workshop, you can request individual consultations for continued transition and resume assistance or mock interviews by calling: 866-854-0638 or 360-257-6289.

All active-duty members may request counseling via the Navy College Program:

• Call the Navy College Virtual Education Center (Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET): 833-330-6622
• Chat online at the Navy College Assistance Center (Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m ET)

For information on how to apply for and the process to use TA, please visit the Navy College Program website.

For information on the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) and MyCAA (Military Spouse Career Advancement Account), visit Miltary OneSource SECO page, or make an appointment with one of our Family Employment Program Specialist at 866-854-0638.

Spouses currently employed in another state, who must leave that job due to the service member's PCS orders, may want to apply for unemployment. To file a unemployment claim in Washington State, you will need to contact the Employment Security Department. For complete information on how to apply and required documentation call 800-318-6022 and visit their https://www.esd.wa.gov/unemployment.

Because Whidbey Island is a rural and isolated area, employment opportunities are limited. For assistance in navigating this competitive market, call to schedule an appointment with the Fleet and Family Support Center's Family Employment Readiness Program at 866-854-0638.

The unemployment rate for Island County is 5.3%; for the state of Washington, it is 4.7%. The average household income $72,066 in 2019. For Washington employment and unemployment information, refer to the state's CareerOneStop website. In Oak Harbor, CareerOneStop is called WorkSource. Visit the WorkSource website.

Spouses who relocate to Oak Harbor may be considered dislocated workers and may be eligible for training and support services. You may also be able to apply for unemployment at your previous location. We encourage spouses to contact the local WorkSource office upon arrival for specifics.