Washington wages
West region · all-occupation average · gross annual wage · BLS OEWS May 2024
Across all occupations, Washington has a median annual wage of $61,590 and a mean of $81,550 (BLS OEWS, May 2024) — +24.4% versus the $49,500 US median. That makes it #3 of 51 states by mean wage. About 3,539,650 people are employed here. The highest-paying tracked job in Washington is Family Medicine Physicians ($239,200+ median). Wages are gross (pre-tax) and vary by employer and experience.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Common jobs in Washington: pay vs the US
Median annual wage in Washington for widely-searched occupations, next to the national median:
| Occupation | Washington median | US median | Washington jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $166,910 | $133,080 | 91,470 |
| Registered Nurses | $112,180 | $93,600 | 64,690 |
| Electricians | $96,530 | $62,350 | 18,380 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $63,760 | $57,440 | 40,700 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $96,180 | $81,680 | 37,400 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $99,110 | $62,340 | 30,790 |
| Lawyers | $151,950 | $151,160 | 13,140 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $79,070 | $62,970 | 12,210 |
| Pharmacists | $157,020 | $137,480 | 7,940 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $102,640 | $76,290 | 8,370 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Software Developers · Registered Nurses · Electricians · Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers · Accountants and Auditors · Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education · Lawyers · Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters · Pharmacists · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Highest-paying tracked jobs in Washington
The best-paid of the 124 curated occupations in Washington, by median wage:
| # | Occupation | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Family Medicine Physicians | $239,200+ | $226,040 |
| 2 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $239,200+ | $323,100 |
| 3 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $239,200+ | $382,350 |
| 4 | Computer and Information Research Scientists | $221,990 | $204,290 |
| 5 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $206,420 | $231,000 |
| 6 | Dentists, General | $197,950 | $203,780 |
| 7 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $181,080 | $195,150 |
| 8 | Financial Managers | $171,300 | $190,600 |
| 9 | Human Resources Managers | $169,410 | $190,520 |
| 10 | Marketing Managers | $168,800 | $184,580 |
| 11 | Software Developers | $166,910 | $175,600 |
| 12 | Public Relations Managers | $159,510 | $172,600 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average wage in Washington?
The median annual wage across all occupations in Washington is $61,590 and the mean is $81,550 (BLS OEWS, May 2024), which is +24.4% versus the US median of $49,500. Washington ranks #3 of 51 states by mean wage.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
Among tracked occupations, the highest-paying in Washington include Family Medicine Physicians ($239,200+), General Internal Medicine Physicians ($239,200+), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($239,200+). See the full list on this page.
Are Washington wages before or after tax?
These are gross wages from the BLS OEWS survey, before income and payroll tax. Washington's state income tax (if any), federal tax and deductions reduce take-home pay. Use a paycheck calculator for after-tax figures.
Keep exploring
Sources & accuracy
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024, gross annual wages, U.S. public domain, retrieved June 2026. These are statewide survey estimates before tax; pay varies by metro, employer and experience, and cost of living differs widely within Washington. Information only, not financial advice. See our methodology.
Last updated: 2026-06-20