Boeing careers Everett WA in 2026
Boeing's Everett factory is the largest building in the world by volume. It has to be: this is where the widebody jets that connect continents get assembled. In 2026, the Everett facility is the production home for the 787 Dreamliner and the long-awaited 777X, Boeing's next-generation twin-aisle aircraft. With over 30,000 workers passing through its doors, Boeing Everett is not just a factory; it is a small city with its own career ecosystem.
What is built at Boeing Everett
The Everett site, officially known as the Boeing Everett Factory or the Everett Production Facility, sits on roughly 1,000 acres in Snohomish County, Washington. The main factory building covers 98.3 million cubic feet of volume and 4.3 million square feet of floor space.
In 2026, two major aircraft programs operate at Everett:
Boeing 787 Dreamliner: Final assembly for the 787 moved fully to Boeing's South Carolina facility in 2021, but Everett still produces major 787 components and supports the program through engineering and supply chain functions. Some 787 support roles remain in Everett.
Boeing 777X: This is the marquee program at Everett. The 777-9 (and the 777-8F freighter variant) are being assembled here, with certification testing ongoing and first deliveries expected in the 2025-2026 timeframe. The 777X features the largest composite wings ever built for a commercial aircraft, manufactured in Everett's Composite Wing Center.
The 767 tanker program (KC-46A Pegasus for the U.S. Air Force) also has production activity at Everett, providing a steady military program alongside the commercial work.
The 747 production line, which operated at Everett for over 50 years, delivered its final aircraft in 2023. The closure of the 747 line freed floor space and workforce capacity that is being redirected toward 777X ramp-up.
Types of careers at Boeing Everett
Boeing Everett hires across a wide spectrum of roles, from factory floor mechanics to senior design engineers. The facility supports both Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) and some Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) work.
| Category | Example Roles | Salary Range | Workforce Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering | Stress engineer, aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, avionics | $85,000 - $165,000 | ~5,000 |
| Manufacturing | Aircraft mechanic, composite fabricator, electrician | $52,000 - $95,000 | ~12,000 |
| Quality | Quality inspector, quality engineer, NDT technician | $55,000 - $110,000 | ~2,500 |
| Supply Chain | Procurement agent, logistics specialist, supplier quality | $60,000 - $120,000 | ~2,000 |
| IT/Software | Software engineer, systems admin, data analyst | $80,000 - $155,000 | ~1,500 |
| Program Management | Project management specialist, program manager | $85,000 - $160,000 | ~1,500 |
| Facilities/Operations | Maintenance technician, safety specialist | $50,000 - $90,000 | ~2,000 |
| Business Operations | Finance, contracts, HR, communications | $55,000 - $130,000 | ~3,000 |
Engineering roles at Everett are heavily weighted toward structures, stress analysis, composites, and manufacturing engineering. This makes sense given that Everett's primary function is aircraft assembly. If you are a structural engineer or materials engineer, Everett has a deep pool of positions.
The 777X program specifically is hiring for several key functions: Customer Introductions Business Operations (preparing for airline deliveries), Value Stream Integration (supply chain coordination), flight test support, and certification engineering. These roles range from Level 2 (early career) to Level 4 (senior) on Boeing's internal scale.
Boeing salary levels and what they mean at Everett
Boeing uses a numeric leveling system for professional roles, with Level 1 being entry and Level 6 being the most senior individual contributors or executives.
| Boeing Level | Title Pattern | Years Experience | Salary Range (Everett) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Associate Engineer | 0-2 years | $72,000 - $88,000 |
| Level 2 | Engineer / Early Career Specialist | 2-5 years | $85,000 - $115,000 |
| Level 3 | Senior Engineer / Specialist | 5-10 years | $102,000 - $145,000 |
| Level 4 | Lead Engineer / Senior Specialist | 10-18 years | $125,000 - $175,000 |
| Level 5 | Principal Engineer / Manager | 15-25 years | $155,000 - $210,000 |
| Level 6 | Technical Fellow / Director | 20+ years | $190,000 - $260,000+ |
Hourly (SPEEA-represented) engineers at Everett have their salary ranges set by the collective bargaining agreement between Boeing and the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA). These ranges are publicly available and provide transparency that salaried positions at non-union Boeing sites do not have.
Manufacturing employees are represented by the International Association of Machinists (IAM District 751). IAM mechanics and fabricators at Everett earn $28-$48 per hour depending on classification and seniority, with overtime opportunities that can push annual earnings above $100,000 for experienced workers.
Cost of living in the Puget Sound area
Working at Boeing Everett means living in Snohomish County or commuting from neighboring areas. The Puget Sound region has a high cost of living, driven primarily by housing.
| Area | Distance to Everett | Median Home Price (2025) | Median Rent (2BR) | Commute Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everett | 0 miles | $550,000 | $1,750 | 0-15 min |
| Marysville | 10 miles north | $520,000 | $1,650 | 15-20 min |
| Lake Stevens | 12 miles east | $580,000 | $1,700 | 20-25 min |
| Lynnwood | 15 miles south | $620,000 | $1,900 | 20-30 min |
| Arlington | 20 miles north | $540,000 | $1,550 | 25-30 min |
| Seattle | 30 miles south | $850,000 | $2,400 | 45-60 min |
Most Boeing Everett employees live in Everett, Marysville, Lake Stevens, or Mukilteo. These communities offer reasonable housing costs by Puget Sound standards, with homes in the $500,000-$600,000 range. This is significantly more affordable than Seattle proper.
Washington state has no income tax, which is a significant advantage. A Boeing engineer earning $120,000 in Everett keeps roughly $7,000-$9,000 more per year than one earning the same in California or New York. Combined with housing costs that are 30-40% below Seattle, Everett is one of the more affordable Boeing locations for the salary levels offered.
Commute note: Boeing Everett's campus has its own freeway exit (I-5 Exit 189). Commutes from north of Everett (Marysville, Arlington) generally have less traffic congestion than commuting from the south (Lynnwood, Seattle). Traffic on I-5 southbound in the morning and northbound in the evening can add 30-60 minutes to what should be a 15-mile drive.
Benefits package at Boeing Everett
Boeing's Total Rewards package applies to all U.S. locations, including Everett:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Health insurance | Multiple medical plan options (PPO, HDHP), dental, vision |
| 401(k) | Company match up to 75% of first 8% (effective match: 6%) |
| Pension | Defined contribution plan (supplemental to 401(k)) |
| PTO | 3-5 weeks vacation depending on service, plus sick leave |
| Parental leave | 12 weeks paid parental leave |
| Education | 100% tuition reimbursement for job-related degrees |
| Stock purchase | Employee stock purchase plan at 10% discount |
| Life insurance | Company-paid basic, optional supplemental |
| Disability | Short-term and long-term disability coverage |
Boeing's 401(k) match (up to 6% effective) is among the strongest in aerospace. Combined with the supplemental retirement plan and employee stock purchase discount, the total retirement package adds significant value beyond base salary.
The 100% tuition reimbursement is worth highlighting. Many Everett engineers pursue master's degrees at the University of Washington (Seattle or Bothell campus) while working, with Boeing covering the full cost. UW's aerospace engineering and mechanical engineering programs are well-regarded, and the evening/part-time options are designed for working professionals.
What the 777X means for Everett careers
The 777X is the defining program for Boeing Everett through at least 2030. As the aircraft moves toward certification and first deliveries, the workforce implications are significant:
Hiring surge for delivery support: As Boeing prepares to deliver 777-9 aircraft to launch customers, it needs engineers for customer-specific configuration work, certification documentation, and delivery inspection. These roles are typically Level 2-3 and offer a way into the 777X program for engineers with a few years of experience.
Manufacturing ramp-up: Moving from low-rate initial production to full-rate production requires expanding the manufacturing workforce. Mechanics, technicians, and quality inspectors will be in highest demand. IAM-represented positions at Everett have a strong history of stable employment once production rates are established.
Long-term program stability: The 777X order book includes several hundred aircraft from major airlines worldwide. This means the program will support Everett employment for at least 10-15 years. Engineers who join now for the certification and early production phase will have long-term career paths as the program matures.
For current openings at Boeing's Everett facility and other locations, browse Boeing careers, aerospace engineering jobs, mechanical engineering roles, and defense industry positions on Zero G Talent.
Frequently asked questions
How many people work at Boeing Everett?
Approximately 30,000 employees work at the Boeing Everett site, making it one of the largest single-employer facilities in Washington state. This includes engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and support functions across the 777X, 787 support, and 767 tanker programs.
What is the starting salary for engineers at Boeing Everett?
Level 1 (associate) engineers start at $72,000-$88,000. Level 2 (early career) engineers, which is the more common entry point for candidates with internship experience or 1-2 years of prior work, earn $85,000-$115,000. Union-represented (SPEEA) engineers have salary ranges set by collective bargaining agreement, which provides transparency in starting pay.
Is it hard to get hired at Boeing Everett?
Competition varies by role. Manufacturing positions (IAM union) have high applicant volumes but Boeing also hires large cohorts. Engineering positions are competitive but Boeing's need for 777X engineers means more openings than at most other Boeing sites. The application-to-offer timeline is typically 4-8 weeks, which is faster than many large aerospace companies.
Do Boeing Everett employees get to see the factory?
Yes. All employees have access to the factory floor relevant to their work, and Boeing offers family tours during certain events. The Everett factory also has a public tour (the Boeing Tour, available through the Future of Flight museum), which gives a view of the production lines from an elevated walkway.
How does Boeing Everett compare to Boeing in South Carolina?
Both sites produce Boeing widebody aircraft (787 in South Carolina, 777X in Everett). Everett is larger, unionized (IAM and SPEEA), and has a deeper engineering presence. South Carolina is non-union and has a lower cost of living. Engineering salaries are comparable, but Everett has more engineering positions and a longer Boeing heritage. The culture and community feel of each site is noticeably different.
