Biological Scientists, All Other Salary
In Washington, biological scientists, all others earn $108,110 at the median, or about $51.97 an hour. The range runs from $72K at the entry level to $173K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $105,980 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 25.3% 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 $108K get you in Washington?
About biological scientists, all others
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What this looks like in Washington
Biological scientists, all other pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $108K locally vs. $99K nationwide, a 9% difference. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26% 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. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level biological scientists, all others (10th percentile) start around $72K. Mid-career wages sit at $108K. Top earners bring in $173K or more, a $101K spread from bottom to top.
Biological Scientists, All Other salary by metro in Washington
6 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $110K | +1% | 30 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $109K | +0% | 1,880 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $107K | -1% | 70 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $105K | -3% | 90 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $96K | -11% | 60 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $88K | -18% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track biological scientists, all other salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a biological scientists, all other afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $108K, rent takes 26% 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 biological scientists, all others in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new biological scientists, all others typically earn — is $72K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,322/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 42% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is biological scientists, all other a high-paying job in Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $108K locally vs. $99K nationally, a 9% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for biological scientists, all others?
Washington pays $108K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s +9%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $106K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do biological scientists, all others make in Washington?
The median is $108,110 a year, that works out to about $52 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $72,040, and experienced biological scientists, all others can clear $172,800. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $108K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,037/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 26% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a biological scientists, all other 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 biological scientists, all other salary is worth about $105,980 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do biological scientists, all others 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.