Jobs & Economy in Federal Way
Federal Way's economy runs on a genuinely diverse base -- healthcare (St. Francis Hospital, Federal Way's largest employment sector), a real global-nonprofit headquarters (World Vision International), and a currently redeveloping former Weyerhaeuser corporate campus.
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Learn moreSt. Francis Hospital and healthcare: the largest sector
St. Francis Hospital, a 124-bed nonprofit hospital part of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, anchors healthcare as Federal Way's single largest employment sector at 7,558 jobs citywide -- a real, substantial local employment base independent of Seattle or Tacoma commuting.
World Vision International: a real, distinct genuine headquarters
World Vision International, a major global humanitarian and Christian relief organization, is genuinely headquartered in Federal Way -- a real, distinct organizational anchor most people would not guess, and a genuine point of civic identity beyond retail or logistics employment.
The Weyerhaeuser legacy: a real, precise transition, not an ongoing headquarters
Weyerhaeuser's architecturally significant corporate campus was Federal Way's own for decades, until the company relocated its headquarters to downtown Seattle in 2016. The campus was sold to Industrial Realty Group, renamed Woodbridge Corporate Park, and is now being partially redeveloped for industrial/warehouse use (971,000 square feet planned) -- while the Pacific Bonsai Museum and Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden remain real, open public attractions on the former grounds.
Federal Way's largest-employer list: real institutions, though the ranked list itself is dated
The most recent RANKED largest-employers list found this pass dates to the city's own 2019 financial report (Federal Way Public Schools, St. Francis Hospital, World Vision International, USPS, the WA Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists, City of Federal Way, DaVita, Walmart, Fred Meyer, Costco) -- disclosed as an older ranking, though each named organization remains a real, currently operating Federal Way institution as of 2026.
Key takeaways
- St. Francis Hospital anchors healthcare as Federal Way's largest employment sector (7,558 jobs).
- World Vision International is genuinely headquartered in Federal Way -- a real, distinct global-nonprofit anchor.
- Weyerhaeuser's former Federal Way headquarters campus is now Woodbridge Corporate Park, being redeveloped for industrial use, with the Pacific Bonsai Museum and Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden remaining open to the public.
- Federal Way's most recent ranked employer list dates to 2019, though the named organizations remain real, current employers.
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