Average and median wage in Washington
Half of the 3,550,970 workers in Washington earn less than $62,990 a year, the median wage, while the average pay is $83,330, or $40.06 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% make $38,670 or less and the top 10% $153,630 or more. The average is 19% more than the U.S. average ($69,770) and the median 24% more than the U.S. median ($50,980).
- $39K10th
- $47K25th
- $63KMedian
- $102K75th
- $154K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Washington per year | Per hour* | U.S. per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $83,330 | $40.06 | $69,770 |
| Median | $62,990 | $30.28 | $50,980 |
| 10th percentile | $38,670 | $18.59 | $31,200 |
| 25th percentile | $47,020 | $22.61 | $37,590 |
| 75th percentile | $101,710 | $48.90 | $80,520 |
| 90th percentile | $153,630 | $73.86 | $128,560 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Statewide figures include every employer in the state, metro and rural. Median vs. average salary · reading percentiles.
Average salary by city in Washington
- Seattle$91,790
- Bremerton$77,020
- Olympia$75,470
- Kennewick$73,460
- Mount Vernon$71,790
- Bellingham$71,310
- Spokane$68,570
- Longview$68,090
- Walla Walla$66,060
- Wenatchee$64,240
- Yakima$61,240
Map of Washington metro areas
Loading map…
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Salary, take-home pay and cost of living by city
| City | Average | Median | Take-home* | Cost of living | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $91,790 | $72,610 | $73,404 | 111 | $750,279 |
| Bremerton | $77,020 | $63,200 | $63,013 | 106 | $586,380 |
| Olympia | $75,470 | $61,960 | $61,923 | 104 | $533,918 |
| Kennewick | $73,460 | $57,290 | $60,509 | 100 | $441,524 |
| Mount Vernon | $71,790 | $59,590 | $59,334 | 102 | $589,523 |
| Bellingham | $71,310 | $57,820 | $58,997 | 103 | $620,829 |
| Spokane | $68,570 | $54,660 | $57,069 | 100 | $423,842 |
| Longview | $68,090 | $57,420 | $56,731 | 98 | $423,261 |
| Walla Walla | $66,060 | $53,100 | $55,224 | 99 | $419,484 |
| Wenatchee | $64,240 | $49,290 | $53,795 | 104 | $523,629 |
| Yakima | $61,240 | $47,810 | $51,386 | 96 | $355,256 |
*Average salary after federal and state income tax and payroll taxes for a single filer. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.
Highest-paying jobs in Washington
- Cardiologists · Seattle$565,440
- Anesthesiologists · Seattle$553,600
- Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric · Seattle$506,820
- Dermatologists · Seattle$480,490
- Chief Executives · Seattle$393,060
- Surgeons, All Other · Seattle$376,830
- Radiologists · Spokane$358,990
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists · Seattle$341,170
- General Internal Medicine Physicians · Seattle$326,410
- Chief Executives · Bremerton$325,260
Most common jobs in Washington
| Job | Jobs statewide | Average | Median | Highest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | 107,030 | $171,040 | $166,540 | $174,920 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 103,260 | $48,210 | $47,730 | $49,500 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 94,710 | $40,390 | $37,710 | $42,260 |
| Retail Salespersons | 84,850 | $43,530 | $39,560 | $45,020 |
| Registered Nurses | 69,260 | $121,540 | $124,200 | $126,390 |
| Cashiers | 61,050 | $41,930 | $38,720 | $44,720 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 57,370 | $45,690 | $44,620 | $47,470 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | 51,650 | $106,140 | $100,360 | $110,050 |
| General and Operations Managers | 50,630 | $158,920 | $133,750 | $169,740 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 49,450 | $47,680 | $46,190 | $49,650 |
Jobs, average and median: BLS statewide estimates. Highest city average: best-paid metro area we cover in the state.
Average salary by job family in Washington
Washington income tax and take-home pay
Washington has no state income tax on wages, so take-home pay only loses federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare.
Washington at a glance
Average salary in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Salary in Washington: questions
What is the average salary in Washington?
$83,330 a year across all jobs, according to BLS statewide estimates (OEWS, May 2025). That is 19% more than the U.S. average ($69,770).
What is the median salary in Washington?
$62,990 a year: half of Washington workers earn more and half earn less. The median is lower than the average because a minority of high earners lifts the average.
What is the average hourly wage in Washington?
$40.06 an hour on average, and $30.28 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
Which city in Washington pays the most?
Seattle, with an average of $91,790 a year among the metro areas we cover.
Is Washington expensive to live in?
BEA puts Washington prices 7% above the U.S. average (price parity 107.0). Within the state, Seattle 111, Bremerton 106, Wenatchee 104 are the most expensive metros.
Sources and how to read this page
- Statewide figures: BLS OEWS state estimates, May 2025, all occupations and every employer in the state (metro and rural areas).
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. City figures: the metro areas we cover in Washington.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Crime: FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent and property crimes reported by agencies statewide, latest 12 months available.
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