Although you may assume that most people in Arlington work directly for the government in Washington, DC: a surprisingly high number of them work within their home city! These employers take on large numbers of Arlington locals and are almost all hiring, offering you the chance to also take on a new career.

If you’re in Arlington, these are some of the top employers to apply to! 

1. Safran

Rated the top employer in Arlington, Safran is a French manufacturing group for aircraft and aerospace goods. Working closely with defense programs, this company is able to bring in a 22.6 billion dollar revenue every single year. With 91,000 employees and long-term working relationships, this is an employer that offers the chance to be able to afford housing and comfort in one of the most expensive areas in the country.  

2. BAE Systems

BAE Systems designs and supports defense and aerospace systems. Not only does it work directly with military programs, but it also works on private projects with corporations. This company has been highly rated by its 35,000 employees, and it currently has over 2,500 job openings in the Arlington area.

BAE pays well and can be a dependable career option! 

3. Ski Club of Washington DC

If you’re looking at Arlington real estate, you may be surprised that there’s a ski club here, but it’s so much more than what you expect! This club helps connect members with sports venues and adventure programs at discounts while also assisting people in connecting and socializing. 

Most of the jobs in Washington DC for this are either operations or customer service. With over 30,000 employees in the Arlington area, and $100 million in revenue every year, this club doesn’t have to worry about income any time soon! 

What to Know Before Moving Here

Although Arlington isn’t Washington, DC, proper- it still has to come with a few warnings to make sure you’re prepared for the reality of living here. This is one of the most expensive areas in the nation, so before you move out, it’s a good idea to build up savings to protect yourself and make sure you have something to fall back on if you struggle to find a job or housing at first.

Education is rewarded above almost anything else on resumes here. Although there are some service-oriented jobs where it doesn’t matter as much, the better and more education you have, the better your hiring prospects will be.

It’s also important to be aware that if you plan on working within DC, you should probably take public transit. The capital has some of the most dangerous traffic in the country, and public transit is extremely reliable here. It’s better to be safe and avoid driving if possible.

Arlington is Full of Surprises

Whether you’re considering moving here for work or you live here, and you want to swap jobs, the top employers aren’t what most expect! Consider working for one of these companies to climb your own corporate ladder!