The San Pedro Bay Port Complex, which includes independent terminal operators, shipping and cruise lines, railroads and service providers at both the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach, employs thousands of people. One in nine jobs in the greater Los Angeles region can be connected to this port complex. This page describes some of the employment opportunities available at the ports.
Union Employment
Each year, the Port of Los Angeles handles billions of dollars’ worth of cargo. Much of this cargo movement is facilitated by labor unions that hire and train individuals in a variety of skill and specialty areas.
Such jobs include dockworkers, truck drivers, warehouse workers, welders, carpenters and other skilled workers in various maritime service sectors. Dockworkers, also known as longshoremen and women, are employed by the International Warehouse and Longshore Union (ILWU). Unions serving the Port include local chapters of the ILWU, IBEW, Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council, SEIU, among others.
Individuals interested in applying for a union job should contact the union of interest directly.
Learn more about the Port’s long-time collaboration with labor unions and the Port’s workforce development programs here.
Port Tenant Company Jobs
Additional employment opportunities may include jobs generated at the Port are managed directly by Port tenant companies, including independent terminal operators, shipping and cruise lines, service and logistics companies. To find out about job opportunities, individuals should contact these companies directly.
Construction Jobs
Construction activity at the Port of Los Angeles is often contracted out through a competitive bid process. Jobs associated with these contracts are generally union jobs and information on employment opportunities should be sought directly from these on-site contractors. Learn more at Construction Division Business Opportunity Network (CDBON).
The Harbor Gateway WorkSource Center in San Pedro actively assists Harbor Area residents seeking employment in the the construction trades. To meet local hiring requirements, Port construction contractors often find qualified workers through the center.
Under the Port's Project Labor Agreement (PLA), at least 30% of total work hours need to be performed by local residents who live within the targeted areas of the City of Los Angeles, using a two-tier approach. The first tier includes residents within approximately 10 miles of the Port; the second tier includes residents of high-unemployment zip codes throughout the remainder of the City of Los Angeles.
Visit the Harbor Gateway WorkSource Center in Downtown San Pedro for more information.
Harbor Worksource Center
222 West 6th Street, Suite 410
San Pedro, CA 90731
(310) 732-5700
The Harbor Gateway WorkSource Center in San Pedro actively assists Harbor Area residents seeking employment in the the construction trades. To meet local hiring requirements, Port construction contractors often find qualified workers through the center.
Under the Port's Project Labor Agreement (PLA), at least 30% of total work hours need to be performed by local residents who live within the targeted areas of the City of Los Angeles, using a two-tier approach. The first tier includes residents within approximately 10 miles of the Port; the second tier includes residents of high-unemployment zip codes throughout the remainder of the City of Los Angeles.
Visit the Harbor Gateway WorkSource Center in Downtown San Pedro for more information.
Harbor Worksource Center
222 West 6th Street, Suite 410
San Pedro, CA 90731
(310) 732-5700
Equity in Infrastructure Project
In 2023, the Port of Los Angeles pledged to join the Equity in Infrastructure Project (EIP), an initiative to build generational wealth and reduce the racial wealth gap by improving public infrastructure contracting practices to create more prime, joint venture and equity contracting opportunities for historically underutilized businesses. The EIP Pledge is an organizational commitment to go above and beyond existing practices.