1. Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA

LA hosts the largest defense manufacturing workforce in the country, with 83,232 jobs and a $41.9B GDP tied to defense activity. The region’s strength lies in aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment manufacturing, supported by firms like Marvin Engineering, which supplies components for platforms including the F-35 and F-22. Average annual contract value exceeds $11.2B.

2. Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TX

DFW leads the nation in contract value with $29.4B annually (2022–2024). With 45,850 workers, the region is expanding rapidly, including Textron’s new $630 million, 400,000-square-foot facility to produce the V-280 Valor helicopter.

3. Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WA

With 83,621 defense manufacturing jobs, Seattle has one of the country’s largest aerospace workforces, though the region has seen a 13 percent decline over the past decade. Firms like Accurus Aerospace supply precision components for aircraft across Boeing and Lockheed Martin platforms.

4. Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV

Specializing in defense communications and electronics, the region manages $28.2B in annual contract value with 8,261 jobs. Firms like EchoStar support major programs, including a potential $2.7B Navy contract for 5G and wireless services.

5. San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CA

A major shipbuilding and naval maintenance center, San Diego supports 28,862 jobs and shows strong growth (27 percent since 2014). Huntington Ingalls Industries recently secured a $528M contract to modernize nuclear-powered carriers stationed in the region.

6. Virginia Beach–Chesapeake–Norfolk, VA–NC

Home to 31,013 jobs, the Hampton Roads region is essential to U.S. naval production and repair. HII is developing a new eight-acre Norfolk campus, a $100M investment expected to add 150 jobs and increase carrier-component manufacturing capacity.

7. Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH

Boston is a leader in analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing, with 20,909 jobs and $11.5B in annual contract value. Thermo Fisher Scientific recently received a $94.5M Navy contract for advanced radiation-detection systems.

8. Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MD

Philadelphia supports 20,708 jobs and $10.1B in contract value. The region is expanding its advanced manufacturing capabilities, including new cell and gene therapy facilities with defense and biodefense applications.

9. St. Louis, MO–IL

St. Louis combines aerospace heritage with modern defense manufacturing. With 22,288 jobs and 12 percent job growth, the region produces key systems like the Navy’s Vertical Launch System and maintains longstanding industry ties dating back to McDonnell Douglas.

10. Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TX

Houston’s defense manufacturing economy, centered on shipbuilding and heavy industrial capabilities, supports 13,186 jobs and generates $28.3B in GDP. Gulf Copper and Huntington Ingalls have expanded partnerships to support construction of Flight III Arleigh Burke–class destroyers.

Key Takeaway

Across these ten metros, the defense manufacturing base is shaped by high-wage jobs, large-scale federal investment, and industry specialization that spans aerospace, shipbuilding, communications, and advanced instrumentation. These regions form the backbone of U.S. defense readiness and industrial competitiveness.

Sources: USASpending, Lightcast, and County Business Patterns.