Health Education Specialists Salary
In Washington, health education specialists earn $77,420 at the median, or about $37.22 an hour. The range runs from $53K at the entry level to $96K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $75,895 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 34% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $77K get you in Washington?
About health education specialists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for health education specialists, local pay runs about 21% higher than the U.S. median of $64K. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 34.9% 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 health education specialists (10th percentile) start around $53K. Mid-career wages sit at $77K. Top earners bring in $96K or more, a $43K spread from bottom to top.
Health Education Specialists salary by metro in Washington
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $79K | +2% | 410 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $78K | +1% | 1,010 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $77K | -1% | 90 |
Compare to other states
Track health education specialists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
Related careers in Community & Social
Frequently asked questions
Can a health education specialist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $77K, rent takes 34.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,600/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for health education specialists in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new health education specialists typically earn — is $53K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,175/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 58% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is health education specialist a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 21% above the national median — $77K here vs. $64K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for health education specialists?
Washington pays $77K median vs. the U.S. average of $64K — that’s +21%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $76K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do health education specialists make in Washington?
The median is $77,420 a year, that works out to about $37 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,910, and experienced health education specialists can clear $95,680. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $77K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,238/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 34.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a health education specialists 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 health education specialists salary is worth about $75,895 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do health education specialists 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.