You receive a job offer in Seattle for $85,000 a year. It sounds generous—until you compare rent, commuting costs, benefits and what people in the same occupation earn elsewhere in Washington. Is the offer actually competitive?
The answer depends on more than one statewide average. Washington state salaries vary sharply by occupation, experience, location, employer and education. Technology and specialized healthcare jobs can pay well into six figures, while many service positions remain much closer to the state minimum wage. Understanding those differences can help you choose a career, evaluate an offer or decide where in the state to work.
What Is the Average Salary in Washington State?
The latest complete federal state estimates available in 2026 cover May 2025. They show that the median wage across all Washington occupations was $30.28 per hour, or approximately $62,990 per year for a full-time worker. The median is the midpoint: half of workers earn more and half earn less.
The average, or mean, is typically higher because a relatively small number of extremely well-paid professionals pull it upward. For that reason, the median is often more useful when deciding whether a salary is typical. Readers can review the Bureau of Labor Statistics state occupational wage estimates to compare specific careers.
These figures represent wage and salary employees in nonfarm establishments. They do not necessarily include self-employed workers, and an annual estimate assumes full-time, year-round employment. Actual earnings may be lower for seasonal, part-time or contract work.
Washington Salaries by Career Field
Some broad career groups consistently earn more than the statewide midpoint. Specialized training, licensing requirements, responsibility and local demand all influence the difference.
Healthcare
Healthcare includes both some of the state’s highest-paying careers and many accessible support occupations. May 2025 mean annual wages included approximately $121,540 for registered nurses, $152,180 for nurse practitioners, $164,430 for physician assistants and $273,760 for nurse anesthetists. Several physician specialties reported averages above $300,000.
Healthcare support jobs generally pay less but may require shorter training. They can also provide a pathway into nursing, therapy, medical imaging or healthcare administration. Hospitals, specialty clinics and large regional health systems may offer shift differentials, retirement plans and tuition assistance that add value beyond base pay.
Technology and Business
Washington’s concentration of major technology and corporate employers helps support high pay in computing, management and finance. Software developers earned an average of about $171,040 in May 2025, while information security analysts averaged approximately $156,080. Computer and information systems managers averaged more than $220,000.
Entry-level salaries can be much lower than these averages. Technical specialization, management responsibility and experience with in-demand systems often matter more than job title alone. Stock awards and annual bonuses can also make total compensation substantially different from base salary.
Engineering and Aerospace
Aerospace, advanced manufacturing, energy and infrastructure create opportunities for engineers and skilled technicians. Aerospace engineers averaged about $156,000, while mechanical and civil engineers averaged around $121,370 and $117,670, respectively.
Not every well-paid aerospace job requires a four-year degree. Aircraft mechanics, avionics technicians and experienced production workers may reach strong earnings through technical education, apprenticeships, certifications and union wage schedules.
Education, Government and Public Service
Public-sector salaries may not always match private technology or executive pay, but benefits can change the comparison. Teachers, government analysts, public-safety workers and university employees may receive pensions, health insurance, paid leave and predictable salary schedules.
When comparing public employment with private-sector opportunities, calculate the value of retirement contributions, insurance premiums and job stability. A position with a slightly lower salary may provide better overall compensation.
Construction and Skilled Trades
Washington offers six-figure potential in selected unionized, licensed or highly specialized trades. May 2025 averages were approximately $94,470 for electricians, $122,100 for electrical power-line installers and repairers, and more than $127,000 for elevator and escalator installers and repairers.
Overtime, prevailing-wage projects and supervisory duties may increase annual earnings. However, construction income can fluctuate with project availability, weather and economic conditions.
Where Are the Highest-Paying Work Settings?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue is one of Washington’s largest and highest-paying labor markets. Its mean wage across all occupations was $44.13 per hour in May 2025, equivalent to about $91,790 annually for full-time work. Management, computing, legal and healthcare practitioner roles were among its highest-paid occupational groups.
Other areas can offer a different balance between pay and expenses. Bellingham’s mean wage was $34.29 per hour, while communities such as Spokane, Yakima, Wenatchee and the Tri-Cities generally have different industry mixes and housing costs. A lower salary outside the Puget Sound region may still provide more disposable income if rent, home prices and commuting expenses are substantially lower.
High-paying settings commonly include:
- Specialty medical practices, hospitals and major health systems
- Large technology companies and cloud-computing operations
- Aerospace, engineering and advanced manufacturing employers
- Utilities, infrastructure projects and union construction sites
- Corporate headquarters, financial services and management consulting
- Research institutions, universities and government agencies
Career Outlook Through 2034
Washington’s Employment Security Department projects relatively slow overall job growth in the coming years, but the outlook differs substantially by occupation. Its 2024–2029 projections identify nurse practitioners, occupational therapy assistants, and medical and health services managers among the fastest-growing careers by percentage.
Registered nurses, home health and personal care aides, and food-service workers are expected to generate significant numbers of openings. Many openings will come from employees changing careers or retiring rather than from entirely new positions.
Technology should remain an important part of the state economy, although hiring may be uneven. Software development, cybersecurity, data analysis and artificial intelligence-related skills can support strong long-term prospects, but candidates may face intense competition. Healthcare, skilled trades and infrastructure occupations may offer a more direct path when training is tied to a required license or credential.
How to Decide Whether a Salary Is Good
Do not compare an offer only with the statewide median. Instead, evaluate the complete package:
- Compare the salary with wages for the same occupation and metropolitan area.
- Ask about bonuses, overtime, stock compensation and scheduled raises.
- Review health insurance costs, retirement contributions and paid leave.
- Estimate housing, transportation, childcare and utility expenses.
- Consider advancement opportunities and the employer’s training support.
- Confirm whether the role is hourly, salaried, overtime-eligible or contract-based.
Washington’s statewide minimum wage is $17.13 per hour in 2026, and several cities have higher local requirements. The state currently does not impose a broad individual income tax, but workers still pay federal taxes and applicable payroll deductions. High sales, housing and transportation costs can also reduce the practical value of a larger paycheck.
It can be useful to compare regional patterns before relocating. For example, an overview of career opportunities through Georgia state job salaries illustrates how pay, industries and living costs can differ across states.
The Bottom Line
Washington state salaries are generally strongest in specialized healthcare, technology, management, engineering, aviation and certain skilled trades. However, the statewide median of about $62,990 is only a starting point. Location, experience, credentials, benefits and living expenses determine whether a particular wage supports your goals.
The best career choice is not always the occupation with the largest headline salary. Look for a combination of sustainable demand, manageable training costs, advancement potential and compensation that fits the community where you plan to live.
