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.
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | Legal | $134K | $64.55/hr |
| 72 | Physical Scientists, All Other | Science | $134K | $64.41/hr |
| 73 | General and Operations Managers | Management | $134K | $64.3/hr |
| 74 | Special Effects Artists and Animators | Arts & Media | $133K | $64.17/hr |
| 75 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | Repair & Maintenance | $133K | $63.97/hr |
| 76 | Electrical Engineers | Engineering | $133K | $63.81/hr |
| 77 | Power Plant Operators | Production & Manufacturing | $132K | $63.28/hr |
| 78 | Dental Hygienists | Healthcare | $131K | $63.06/hr |
| 79 | Emergency Management Directors | Management | $131K | $62.87/hr |
| 80 | Administrative Services Managers | Management | $131K | $62.8/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
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