Schweitzer Engineering raises starting wage to $20 an hour

IBR STAFF//April 8, 2025//

Senior Assembler Hannah Kolar. Photo courtesy of SEL

IBR STAFF//April 8, 2025//

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Key Highlights

Schweitzer Engineering raises starting wage to $20/hour
Over 500 job openings available globally, 410 in WA and ID
Company is 100% employee-owned with generous benefits
Onsite health clinics and wellbeing centers in Pullman and Lewiston

A major employer with two locations in Idaho and headquartered in Washington, has raised its starting wage to attract more talent.

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories recently announced it increased its starting hourly employee pay to $20 on April 1. The company made a similar move in July of 2023 when it raised the starting wage from $18 to $19 per hour.

With its base of operations in Pullman, Washington, and two locations in Moscow and Lewiston, Idaho, SEL has more than 500 positions open locally and at its other locations around the world.

“Worldwide demand for our products is increasing and we’re pleased to offer new opportunities in Pullman, Moscow and Lewiston and to share our success with our employees,” said Edmund O. Schweitzer III.

SEL is 100% employee-owned, the company stated, and full-time U.S. employees receive a stake in the company through the employee stock ownership plan. Stocks are held in trust until employees retire or leave the company. The company also offers its employees and families free onsite health clinics and wellbeing centers in Pullman and Lewiston.

Out of the 500 open positions, 410 of those are in Washington and Idaho. Positions include work in engineering, manufacturing and administration.