Washington Salaries 2025
No state income tax with Seattle tech hub dominance
Median Household Income (Among Highest in US)
Washington Salary Overview 2025
Washington State offers an extraordinary combination: no state income tax paired with some of America's highest salaries. The state's median household income of approximately $82,000 ranks among the top five nationally, driven primarily by the Seattle metro's concentration of technology giants. Microsoft, Amazon, and their ecosystem of suppliers, contractors, and startups have created one of the world's wealthiest metropolitan regions.
Beyond tech, Washington's economy includes aerospace (Boeing's commercial division), healthcare, international trade (Pacific Rim gateway), agriculture, and a growing clean energy sector. However, the tech industry's dominance means Seattle-area statistics heavily skew statewide averages—Eastern Washington and smaller cities see significantly lower wages.
2025 continues Washington's position as a premier destination for tech workers. No state income tax means a $200,000 tech salary in Seattle provides roughly equivalent after-tax income to a $230,000–$240,000 salary in California. Combined with somewhat lower housing costs than the Bay Area (though still expensive), Washington attracts substantial tech talent. For national context, see salary trends 2025 and average US salary.
Washington Salary Snapshot
| Metric | Washington | Seattle Metro | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $82,000 | $106,000 | $74,580 |
| Mean Household Income | $110,000 | $140,000 | $97,300 |
| Per Capita Income | $43,000 | $55,000 | $37,638 |
| State Income Tax | 0% | 0% | Varies |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 150 | 100 |
| Minimum Wage | $16.28/hr | $19.97 (Seattle) | $7.25 (fed) |
Washington's mean income significantly exceeds median, reflecting extreme concentration of tech wealth in the Seattle area. Use our salary calculator for conversions.
Washington Salaries by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median Household | COL Index | Key Industries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma | $106,000 | 150 | Tech, aerospace, healthcare |
| Spokane | $58,000 | 92 | Healthcare, education, manufacturing |
| Tacoma | $70,000 | 115 | Logistics, military, healthcare |
| Vancouver (WA) | $72,000 | 108 | Tech spillover, manufacturing |
| Olympia | $72,000 | 105 | Government, education |
Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma Metro
Median Household Income: $106,000
One of America's wealthiest metros, home to Microsoft (Redmond), Amazon (Seattle), and major offices for Google, Meta, Apple, and virtually every major tech company. Software engineers at these companies earn $150,000–$250,000+ base salary, with total compensation (including stock) reaching $250,000–$500,000+ at senior levels. L6+ engineers at Amazon and Microsoft routinely exceed $400,000 TC. The tech ecosystem extends to Bellevue (increasingly a corporate hub), Redmond, and Kirkland.
Bellevue/Eastside
Part of Seattle Metro
Microsoft's headquarters location and growing tech hub rivaling downtown Seattle. Meta's Seattle-area offices are in Bellevue. T-Mobile headquarters in Bellevue. Premium housing (median home $1.3M+) but excellent schools and closer to Microsoft/Eastside employers. Many tech workers prefer Eastside to Seattle proper.
Spokane
Median Household Income: $58,000
Eastern Washington's largest city with dramatically different economy than Seattle. Healthcare (Providence, MultiCare), education (Gonzaga, WSU Health Sciences), and manufacturing anchor employment. Cost of living significantly below Seattle—$58,000 in Spokane provides similar lifestyle to $90,000+ in Seattle. Growing remote worker population attracted by affordability while maintaining no state income tax benefit.
Vancouver, Washington
Median Household Income: $72,000
Strategic location across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon. Residents can work in Portland (Oregon's job market) while living in Washington (no income tax). This arbitrage opportunity makes Vancouver attractive for those comfortable with Portland commute. Growing tech presence as Portland companies establish Washington offices.
Washington Salaries by Industry
| Industry | Average Salary | Top Employers |
|---|---|---|
| Technology (Software) | $140,000–$220,000 | Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta |
| Tech (Senior/Staff) | $200,000–$400,000+ TC | FAANG companies |
| Aerospace | $90,000–$150,000 | Boeing, Blue Origin |
| Healthcare | $70,000–$140,000 | UW Medicine, Providence, Swedish |
| Retail Corporate | $80,000–$150,000 | Costco, Nordstrom, Starbucks HQ |
| Finance/Banking | $75,000–$140,000 | Regional banks, tech company finance |
Technology Dominance
Washington's tech industry pays exceptionally well—among the highest in the nation outside Bay Area. Microsoft and Amazon, both headquartered in the Seattle area, set market rates that other employers must match. Entry-level software engineers: $130,000–$160,000 TC. Mid-level: $180,000–$250,000 TC. Senior/Staff: $280,000–$450,000+ TC. Principal engineers at Amazon or Microsoft can exceed $500,000–$700,000 TC. See our software engineer salary guide.
Amazon Compensation
Amazon's Seattle/Bellevue headquarters employs 75,000+ workers. Compensation heavily weighted toward stock (RSUs vest over 4 years with 5/15/40/40 schedule). Total compensation examples: SDE I $165,000–$200,000 TC, SDE II $200,000–$280,000 TC, SDE III $280,000–$400,000 TC, Principal $400,000–$700,000+ TC.
Microsoft Compensation
Microsoft's Redmond headquarters remains one of tech's largest employers. Generally strong base salaries with meaningful stock grants. Total compensation: L59 (entry) $150,000–$180,000, L61 $180,000–$230,000, L63 $240,000–$320,000, L65 $350,000–$500,000+, L67+ $500,000–$1M+.
Aerospace
Boeing's commercial airplane division is headquartered in the Seattle area (though some operations moved). Engineers earn $90,000–$150,000+. The industry has faced challenges (737 MAX issues, pandemic) but remains significant employer. Blue Origin (Jeff Bezos's space company) has growing Kent facility with aerospace engineering roles $100,000–$160,000+.
Washington Tax Advantage
| Annual Income | CA State Tax | WA State Tax | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $5,700 | $0 | $5,700 |
| $150,000 | $10,400 | $0 | $10,400 |
| $200,000 | $15,500 | $0 | $15,500 |
| $300,000 | $25,000 | $0 | $25,000 |
| $500,000 | $45,000 | $0 | $45,000 |
The Washington Advantage for Tech Workers
Washington's combination of top-tier tech salaries plus no state income tax creates extraordinary compensation. A $300,000 tech salary in Washington provides the same after-tax income as roughly $340,000–$350,000 in California. For senior engineers earning $400,000–$500,000+, the annual tax savings exceed $40,000—enough to fund retirement contributions, mortgage payments, or significant lifestyle upgrades.
Other Washington Taxes
Washington compensates for no income tax through other revenue sources: sales tax 6.5% state + local (up to 10.4% in Seattle), property tax ~1% (moderate), and a new capital gains tax (7% on gains over $250,000). The capital gains tax primarily affects high-wealth individuals selling stock or businesses—most W-2 employees remain unaffected.
Washington Cost of Living
| Expense | Seattle | Bellevue | Tacoma | Spokane |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment | $2,200 | $2,400 | $1,600 | $1,100 |
| Median Home Price | $850,000 | $1,300,000 | $500,000 | $380,000 |
| Groceries Index | 115 | 120 | 105 | 95 |
Seattle vs Bay Area
Seattle housing costs are high but remain 20–30% below comparable Bay Area locations. A $850,000 median home price (Seattle proper) compares favorably to San Francisco's $1.4M+. This differential, combined with no state income tax, makes Seattle attractive for California tech refugees. Many workers maintain similar salaries while gaining significant cost-of-living advantages.
Purchasing Power Comparison
To maintain equivalent purchasing power to $100,000 in average US city:
Seattle: $140,000–$150,000 needed
Bellevue: $150,000–$160,000 needed
Tacoma: $115,000–$120,000 needed
Spokane: $90,000–$95,000 needed
Highest Paying Jobs in Washington 2025
| Occupation | WA Average | Top Earners |
|---|---|---|
| Tech Executive (VP+) | $350,000 | $500K–$2M+ TC |
| Software Engineer (Staff+) | $280,000 | $400K–$700K TC |
| Machine Learning Engineer | $220,000 | $350K–$500K TC |
| Surgeon | $350,000 | $500,000+ |
| Anesthesiologist | $340,000 | $450,000+ |
| Aerospace Engineer (Sr) | $140,000 | $180,000+ |
| Product Manager (Sr) | $180,000 | $280K–$400K TC |
| Data Scientist (Sr) | $170,000 | $250K–$350K TC |
Washington's highest earners concentrate in tech and medicine. See jobs that pay $100K for comprehensive lists.
Washington Minimum Wage 2025
| Location | Minimum Wage | Annual (40 hrs) |
|---|---|---|
| Washington State | $16.28/hr | $33,862 |
| Seattle (Large Employers) | $19.97/hr | $41,538 |
| Seattle (Small Employers) | $17.25/hr | $35,880 |
| SeaTac | $19.71/hr | $40,997 |
Washington's $16.28 statewide minimum (indexed to inflation) ranks among the highest nationally. Seattle's $19.97 for large employers is among the highest city minimums in the US. For detailed comparison, see our minimum wage by state guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Washington better than California for tech workers?
For many, yes. Similar or slightly lower base salaries than Bay Area but no state income tax (saving $15,000–$50,000+ annually) and 20–30% lower housing costs. Bay Area advantages: more startups, stronger VC ecosystem, more companies overall, better weather (subjective). Washington advantages: tax savings, slightly lower costs, outdoor recreation (mountains, water).
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Seattle?
Single person, comfortable living: $100,000–$130,000 minimum. Family with children, middle-class lifestyle: $180,000–$250,000+ household. These figures assume renting in decent neighborhoods; home ownership requires significantly more given $850,000+ median prices.
How does Seattle compare to Austin for tech?
Seattle: Higher salaries (10–15%), more established tech giants (Microsoft/Amazon HQ), higher cost of living, no state income tax, cooler/rainier weather. Austin: Lower salaries but even lower costs, growing tech scene (more startups), no state income tax, warmer weather. Net purchasing power roughly similar.
Should I consider Spokane or other Eastern Washington?
For remote workers, Spokane offers compelling value: 60% lower housing costs than Seattle while maintaining Washington's no-income-tax benefit. Growing remote worker community. Trade-offs: fewer in-person job opportunities, different climate (cold winters, hot summers), smaller city amenities.
What about the rain?
Seattle's reputation is somewhat exaggerated—annual rainfall is moderate (37 inches, less than NYC or Atlanta). However, Seattle has many cloudy, drizzly days (200+ days with some rain). Summers are spectacular (dry, 75°F, long days). Seasonal depression affects some residents; this is a genuine quality-of-life consideration.