Accountants and Auditors Salary
The median pay for a accountants and auditors in Washington is $96,550/year ($46.42/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $66K at the entry level to $152K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $94,648 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 28.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $97K get you in Washington?
About accountants and auditors
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for accountants and auditors, local pay runs about 15% higher than the U.S. median of $84K. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level accountants and auditors (10th percentile) start around $66K. Mid-career wages sit at $97K. Top earners bring in $152K or more, a $86K spread from bottom to top.
Accountants and Auditors salary by metro in Washington
11 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $99K | +3% | 22,100 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $94K | -2% | 1,330 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $93K | -3% | 1,020 |
| Longview-Kelso | $93K | -4% | 250 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $93K | -4% | 400 |
| Walla Walla | $90K | -7% | 170 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $88K | -9% | 580 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $88K | -9% | 410 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $86K | -11% | 2,340 |
| Bellingham | $85K | -11% | 870 |
| Yakima | $82K | -15% | 600 |
Showing 1–10 of 11 metros
Compare to other states
Track accountants and auditors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a accountants and auditor afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $97K, rent takes 28.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for accountants and auditors in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new accountants and auditors typically earn — is $66K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,980/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 46% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is accountants and auditor a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 15% above the national median — $97K here vs. $84K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for accountants and auditors?
Washington pays $97K median vs. the U.S. average of $84K — that’s +15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $95K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do accountants and auditors make in Washington?
The median is $96,550 a year, that works out to about $46 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $66,330, and experienced accountants and auditors can clear $152,310. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $97K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,359/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 28.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a accountants and auditors salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median accountants and auditors salary is worth about $94,648 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do accountants and auditors get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.