Washington Salary Percentile
Calculator
Washington State has the highest minimum wage in the country and a strong technology sector anchored by Amazon, Microsoft, and a dense startup ecosystem. No state income tax makes take-home pay favorable for high earners.
Enter your gross annual salary (pre-tax). Hourly workers: multiply hourly rate by 2,080.
Washington salary percentiles — May 2025
| Percentile | Washington | National |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39K | $31K |
| 25th | $46K | $38K |
| 50th (median)median | $63K | $51K |
| 75th | $99K | $81K |
| 90th | $159K | $129K |
State figures derived from BLS OEWS May 2025 state median. National figures from BLS national percentile data.
Key insight
Washington has no state income tax, and its state median of $63K is among the highest in the US — 25% above the national median, driven by Seattle tech wages.
Washington salary — frequently asked questions
What is the median salary in Washington State?
The median annual salary in Washington State is approximately $63K based on May 2025 BLS data, well above the national median. The Seattle metro, anchored by Amazon and Microsoft, drives wages significantly higher than eastern Washington or smaller cities.
What salary do you need in Seattle?
Financial planners suggest $90,000-$110,000 for comfortable single living in Seattle without roommates. The city's tech boom has driven rents to $2,500-$3,500/month for a one-bedroom. In Spokane or Yakima, $60,000-$70,000 provides a comparable lifestyle at lower cost.
Does Washington State have income tax?
No. Washington State has no personal income tax, which is a significant advantage for high earners. A tech worker earning $200,000 in Seattle saves $12,000-$18,000 per year compared to the equivalent salary in California. Washington does have a capital gains tax on income above $250,000 introduced in 2023.
How much do Amazon and Microsoft employees earn on average?
Amazon and Microsoft together employ over 100,000 workers in Washington State. Median total compensation (salary plus stock) at these firms runs $180,000-$250,000 for software engineers at mid-level positions. These concentrations of high-earners pull the Seattle median well above the national average.
What is the average salary in Washington?
"Average" and "median" measure different things, but BLS reports the median: the midpoint where half of Washington workers earn more and half earn less. The Washington median is $63K, above the national median of $51K. Use the calculator above to see exactly where your salary ranks.
Salary percentiles by state
Alabama
$46K median
Alaska
$61K median
Arizona
$50K median
Arkansas
$44K median
California
$58K median
Colorado
$60K median
Connecticut
$60K median
Delaware
$52K median
Florida
$48K median
Georgia
$48K median
Hawaii
$56K median
Idaho
$48K median
Illinois
$52K median
Indiana
$48K median
Iowa
$49K median
Kansas
$48K median
Kentucky
$47K median
Louisiana
$46K median
Maine
$51K median
Maryland
$60K median
Massachusetts
$64K median
Michigan
$49K median
Minnesota
$57K median
Mississippi
$40K median
Missouri
$48K median
Montana
$49K median
Nebraska
$49K median
Nevada
$48K median
New Hampshire
$56K median
New Jersey
$59K median
New Mexico
$47K median
New York
$60K median
North Carolina
$48K median
North Dakota
$52K median
Ohio
$49K median
Oklahoma
$46K median
Oregon
$57K median
Pennsylvania
$50K median
Rhode Island
$57K median
South Carolina
$46K median
South Dakota
$47K median
Tennessee
$47K median
Texas
$49K median
Utah
$50K median
Vermont
$56K median
Virginia
$56K median
Washington
$63K median
Washington D.C.
$92K median
West Virginia
$45K median
Wisconsin
$50K median
Wyoming
$50K median