Top Paying Jobs in Washington
Washington has 100 tracked occupation categories totaling 487,800 jobs. The highest-paying occupations include Cardiologists ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologists ($526,170). The cost of living index is 102.01 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $1,830/month.
ⓘ
State-level averages. Salaries, rent, and cost of living vary significantly between metros. For more accurate data, select a metro area from the list below or browse all metros.
$190K
Avg. median salary
102.01
Cost of living index
$1,830
Median 2BR rent
7,810,350
Population
Highest paying careers in Washington
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Purchasing Managers | Management | $163K | $78.24/hr |
| 42 | Air Traffic Controllers | Transportation | $163K | $78.16/hr |
| 43 | Mathematicians | Technology | $162K | $78.02/hr |
| 44 | Commercial Divers | Repair & Maintenance | $162K | $77.79/hr |
| 45 | Pharmacists | Healthcare | $161K | $77.22/hr |
| 46 | Veterinarians | Healthcare | $161K | $77.17/hr |
| 47 | Public Relations Managers | Management | $159K | $76.65/hr |
| 48 | Nurse Midwives | Healthcare | $159K | $76.43/hr |
| 49 | Aerospace Engineers | Engineering | $158K | $76.14/hr |
| 50 | Optometrists | Healthcare | $158K | $75.75/hr |
Affordability snapshot: Washington
These are statewide averages. Costs vary widely between metros, click into a specific city for precise numbers.
Cost of living vs. national average+2.0% more expensive
2-bedroom apartment (FMR)$1,830/mo
Planning a move? Compare costs with other locations:
Metro areas in Washington
Click a metro for detailed salary, rent, and cost-of-living data specific to that area.
Bellingham
$1,794/mo rentRPP 103.3
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard$2,031/mo rentRPP 105.6
Kennewick-Richland$935/mo rentRPP 100.1
Longview-Kelso$1,451/mo rentRPP 97.5
Mount Vernon-Anacortes$1,720/mo rentRPP 102.4
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater$1,960/mo rentRPP 103.7
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue$2,237/mo rentRPP 111.1
Spokane-Spokane Valley$1,131/mo rentRPP 100.3
Walla Walla$1,550/mo rentRPP 98.5
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee$1,500/mo rentRPP 103.9
Yakima$1,374/mo rentRPP 95.5
Compare Washington to other cities
Side-by-side salary and cost of living comparison
Remote work salary calculator
See what your salary is worth in Washington
Calculate take-home pay in Washington
After federal and state taxes
Can you afford a 2-bedroom in Washington?
Salary thresholds by HUD rent data
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Washington?
Monthly budget breakdown with HUD and BLS data