As the sixth largest city in the state and the 36th largest in the country, it's no surprise that there are many different economic options for those interesting in living and working in Long Beach, California. With companies working in everything from industrial water treatment chemicals to international shipping, there is something for every set of skills and interests. But, when you're looking for a new job in a new city, it's always smart to get a good picture of what the most important industries are to that city. Here is a short guide to the businesses that keep Long Beach going.

Long Beach has one of the largest shipping ports in the world. Whether it's parts for a septic tank pump truck or food items, it's likely that it goes through the Port of Long Beach often when entering and leaving the United States. Along with the Port of Los Angeles, this section of the coast is known as the busiest shipping region in the country. On its own, the Port of Long Beach is the second largest port in America.

Oil is also big business in Long Beach, as there are both underground and offshore deposits in the area. If you're good at working with your hands and know your way around complicated equipment like crimp terminals then you may be able to find a good living in this trade. Working in oil is one of the most lucrative operations for those interested in manual labor.

Manufacturing is also important to Long Beach's economy. There are large operations in aircraft engineering with Boeing and Gulfstream Aerospace, in car parts with TABC Inc, and a variety of businesses building electronic and audiovisual equipment. The national headquarters of US Epson Inc, Pioneer Electronics, SCAN Health Plan, and Molina Health Care are also all located in the city. If you previously worked in the office of a company that sold group collaboration software, you could maybe make the move into one of these firms.

There are also always opportunities for new businesses to come to Long Beach. With its strong economic base, with the right resources and focus, maybe different operations have a good chance of being successful. Organizations like the Long Beach Green Business Association are always willing to help grow smaller businesses. So, if you've always dreamed of creating online brochure templates as a graphic designer or opening a small specialty shop, maybe now's the time in Long Beach.