What is the average wage in Washington state?
Refreshed monthly
The average wage was $1,516 per week in May 2026, 1.1% higher than a year before. The average weekly wage, the typical earnings that employees bring home for one week of work, is a valuable indicator to assess economic conditions, labor market health, and wage trends. When accounting for the cost of living, Washington state's average weekly wage of $1,516 has the purchasing power of $1,417.
$1.52K
average weekly earnings, May 2026
1.1%
higher than a year before (adjusted for inflation)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases monthly statistics tracking the wages of all employees who don’t work for the government. In May 2026, the average weekly wage in Washington state was $1,516. That represents the wages of 3 million private-sector workers in the state.
As of May 2026, average weekly earnings for workers in Washington state was higher than the US overall.
12-month rolling average of average weekly earnings, 2007-2026, adjusted for inflation
As with other averages, most people earn more or less than the average weekly wage. Pay varies based on industry and occupation.
Which occupations have the highest wages?
In Washington state, workers in the information sector had the highest average weekly earnings at $2,543 per week, as of May 2026. Leisure and hospitality workers had the lowest average weekly wage at $676.In Washington state, information workers had the highest average weekly wage.
Average weekly earnings, by industry (May 2026)
How do wages in Washington state compare to the national average?
Cost of living, which also varies based on location, impacts how far a person’s earnings can go. Someone earning the weekly average will have more or less purchasing power depending on location. In Washington state, cost of living is higher than the US overall, and the state’s average weekly wage of $1,516 has purchasing power equal to $1,417.Washington state's average weekly wage is above the national average, ranking 1st among states. When accounting for regional cost of living differences, Washington state ranks 2nd among states.
Accounting for cost of living, Washington state had an average weekly wage of $1,417 in May 2026.
Average weekly wage, May 2026, adjusted with regional price parity (2024)
Which metro areas in Washington state have the highest wages?
Among 13 metro areas at least partially located in Washington state, the Seattle, WA area has the highest average weekly wage at $1,498, when accounting for the cost of living.Among Washington state metro areas, the Seattle, WA area had the highest wages, accounting for cost of living.
Average weekly wage, May 2026, adjusted with regional price parity (2024)
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
