Jobs in Bremerton, WA: Major Employers, Hiring Resources & Career Guide
Bremerton is the largest job market in Kitsap County, anchored by one of the largest naval installations in the United States. Whether you're relocating from Seattle, already in Kitsap County and looking for a change, or just starting your career search in the area, this guide covers the major employers, strongest sectors, and best resources for finding work in Bremerton.
The Big Picture: Bremerton's Job Market
Bremerton's economy runs on three primary drivers:
- Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) — The single largest employer in Kitsap County, with roughly 14,000 civilian and military employees. Federal employment at PSNS is the foundation of the regional economy.
- Naval Base Kitsap — The broader base complex across multiple installations includes additional federal civilian jobs, contractors, and support services.
- Healthcare — Harrison Medical Center (now St. Michael Medical Center) in Silverdale and associated clinics are among the top private employers in the county.
The Navy's presence creates a stable, recession-resistant employment base that ripples through the local economy in retail, construction, services, and healthcare.
Top Employers in Bremerton & Kitsap County
Federal & Military
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) The largest employer in Kitsap County. Civilian roles include: shipfitters, pipefitters, electricians, machinists, welders, engineers, nuclear engineers, program managers, logistics specialists, IT professionals, and administrative staff. Federal civilian jobs offer strong pay, benefits, and job security. - Apply via: USAJOBS.gov (search "PSNS" or "Puget Sound Naval Shipyard") - Apprenticeship Program: PSNS runs one of the most respected apprenticeship programs in the Pacific Northwest for trades workers.
Naval Base Kitsap Multiple installations across Kitsap County (Bremerton, Bangor, Keyport, Manchester). Federal civilian roles in operations, security, logistics, IT, and base support services. - Apply via: USAJOBS.gov
Department of Veterans Affairs — VA Puget Sound Healthcare, administrative, and support roles at VA facilities serving the large veteran population in Kitsap County.
Healthcare
St. Michael Medical Center (Bremerton) Part of CHI Franciscan (CommonSpirit Health). The major hospital in Kitsap County. Roles include nurses, physicians, allied health, administrative, facilities, and support. Consistently one of the largest private employers in the area. - Apply via: dignity.jobs or commonspirit.org/careers
Kaiser Permanente — Medical offices throughout Kitsap County. Olympic Medical Center — Based in Port Angeles but serves Kitsap County. Kitsap Mental Health Services — Behavioral health roles throughout the county.
Government & Public Sector
Kitsap County — County government employs several hundred people in roles spanning public works, planning, courts, sheriff's office, public health, and administration. - Apply via: governmentjobs.com/careers/kitsapcounty
City of Bremerton — Municipal government roles in public works, parks, police, fire, planning, and administration. - Apply via: governmentjobs.com/careers/bremerton
Bremerton School District — Teachers, paraeducators, support staff, and administration. - Apply via: bremerton.k12.wa.us
Kitsap Transit — Bus operators, dispatchers, maintenance, and administration.
Private Sector & Retail
Olympic College — Faculty, administrative, and support staff positions at the main Bremerton campus and satellite locations. - Apply via: olympic.edu
Walmart, Home Depot, Fred Meyer, Safeway — Large retail employers in the Bremerton/Silverdale commercial corridor.
Kitsap Credit Union — Regional financial institution headquartered in Bremerton.
Harrison/Franciscan Medical Group — Outpatient clinics and specialist practices throughout the county.
Strongest Job Sectors in Bremerton
Federal Trades (Highest Volume, Best Pay)
Skilled trades at PSNS — pipefitters, electricians, machinists, welders, nuclear maintenance — offer among the best wages in the county with full federal benefits. Competition is high but the volume of openings is consistent.
Healthcare
Nursing and allied health are consistently in demand across Kitsap County. St. Michael Medical Center and associated clinics regularly post openings. Travel nurses and contract healthcare workers also have options in the area.
IT & Engineering
Federal contractors supporting the Navy (Leidos, SAIC, Booz Allen Hamilton, DXC Technology) have consistent openings for software engineers, systems engineers, cybersecurity analysts, and program managers. Many roles require security clearance.
Key contractors in the area: - Leidos - SAIC - Booz Allen Hamilton - General Dynamics IT - Parsons Corporation
Construction & Trades
Kitsap County has experienced sustained residential and commercial construction growth. Electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, carpenters, and general laborers are in consistent demand from private contractors.
Education
Olympic College, Bremerton School District, and North Kitsap, Central Kitsap, and South Kitsap school districts all employ hundreds of education professionals.
Where to Search for Bremerton Jobs
USAJOBS.gov — Mandatory starting point for any federal civilian job at PSNS, Naval Base Kitsap, or VA. Set up a profile and job alerts.
Indeed.com — Broadest general job board coverage for private sector Bremerton roles.
WorkSource Washington — Washington State's workforce center. WorkSource Kitsap (seeker.worksourcewa.com) lists local openings and connects job seekers with training programs and unemployment services.
WorkSourceKitsap.com — Local workforce development board with job listings, skills training, and career counseling specific to Kitsap County.
LinkedIn — Strong for professional and contractor roles, especially IT and engineering supporting the Navy.
governmentjobs.com/careers/kitsapcounty — Kitsap County government openings.
governmentjobs.com/careers/bremerton — City of Bremerton openings.
PSNS Apprenticeship Program
One of the most sought-after career pathways in Kitsap County. The PSNS apprenticeship program offers: - 4-year paid apprenticeships in trades (shipfitting, pipefitting, electrical, machining, etc.) - Full federal employee benefits from day one - Starting wages well above regional average - Strong path to permanent federal employment
Applications open periodically — check USAJOBS.gov and the PSNS official site for open cycles. Competition is significant but the long-term career value is exceptional.
Cost of Living vs. Seattle
One of Bremerton's strongest employment advantages is the cost of living gap relative to Seattle. Federal jobs at PSNS pay the same locality-adjusted wages as comparable Seattle federal positions — but Bremerton housing costs significantly less.
- Median home price (Bremerton area): Substantially below Seattle metro
- Commute option: Some Bremerton residents commute to Seattle by ferry for work — the passenger-only fast ferry takes about 60 minutes
- Net result: Federal or contractor roles in Bremerton can deliver better take-home value than equivalent Seattle roles for those who buy or rent on the Kitsap side
Remote Work & Hybrid Options
Since 2020, remote and hybrid work has expanded what's possible for Kitsap County residents. Many Bremerton-area residents now work remotely for Seattle, Tacoma, or even national employers while living on the Peninsula. High-speed internet is available throughout most of the Bremerton/Silverdale corridor.
This has changed the local housing market significantly — remote workers from Seattle have driven up demand and prices in Kitsap County, but Bremerton remains affordable relative to most Puget Sound markets.
Relocation Resources
If you're considering relocating for a Bremerton job:
- Housing: Check Zillow, Redfin, and local real estate agents like Nolan Reynolds who specialize in Kitsap County
- Ferry schedules: wsdot.wa.gov/ferries — if you'll commute to Seattle
- Schools: Bremerton, Central Kitsap, North Kitsap, and South Kitsap school districts serve different parts of the county
- Cost of living calculator: NerdWallet and BestPlaces.net have Bremerton-specific data