Project Management Specialists Salary
The median pay for a project management specialists in Washington is $124,160/year ($59.69/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $75K at the entry level to $202K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $121,714 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 22.9% 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 $124K get you in Washington?
About project management specialists
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for project management specialists, local pay runs about 21% higher than the U.S. median of $102K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,830/month, 23% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Washington offers a genuinely strong financial position for project management specialistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level project management specialists (10th percentile) start around $75K. Mid-career wages sit at $124K. Top earners bring in $202K or more, a $127K spread from bottom to top.
Project Management Specialists 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 | $130K | +5% | 26,910 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $126K | +1% | 1,260 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $109K | -12% | 380 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $107K | -14% | 240 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $105K | -16% | 470 |
| Bellingham | $103K | -17% | 660 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $103K | -17% | 810 |
| Longview-Kelso | $101K | -18% | 230 |
| Walla Walla | $101K | -19% | 80 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $99K | -20% | 1,510 |
| Yakima | $99K | -20% | 250 |
Showing 1–10 of 11 metros
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a project management specialist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $124K, rent takes 23% 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 project management specialists in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new project management specialists typically earn — is $75K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,485/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 41% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is project management specialist a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 21% above the national median — $124K here vs. $102K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for project management specialists?
Washington pays $124K median vs. the U.S. average of $102K — that’s +21%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $122K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do project management specialists make in Washington?
The median is $124,160 a year, that works out to about $60 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $74,750, and experienced project management specialists can clear $202,120. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $124K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,968/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 23% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a project management 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 project management specialists salary is worth about $121,714 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do project management 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.