Jobs that actually got a raise in Washington

Consumer prices rose about 26% between May 2019 and May 2025, so a wage that grew less than that lost ground while appearing to rise. The column on the right is the inflation-adjusted change; the nominal figure beneath it is what a paycheck comparison would have shown. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people, so the ranking is not dominated by tiny, noisy ones.

Cost of living: prices in Washington run 7.0% above the national average (2024), so a Washington salary is worth about 0.93× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in Washington.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in Washington

OccupationMedian, Washington · Real change since 2019

1Sales and Related Workers, All Other$75,100
High school diploma or equivalent
$48,130 – $114,590+65.4%+108.3% nominal
2Advertising Sales Agents$101,320
High school diploma or equivalent
$52,510 – $183,700+54.8%+94.9% nominal
3Waiters and Waitresses$56,130
No formal educational credential
$36,710 – $94,930+39.6%+75.7% nominal
4Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$107,920
High school diploma or equivalent
$54,590 – $116,670+37.1%+72.6% nominal
5Veterinarians$160,510
Doctoral or professional degree
$97,140 – $265,600+35.0%+70.0% nominal
6Manicurists and Pedicurists$49,900
Postsecondary nondegree award
$38,660 – $63,430+29.0%+62.4% nominal
7Bartenders$55,830
No formal educational credential
$39,380 – $90,130+27.8%+60.9% nominal
8Sheet Metal Workers$98,550
High school diploma or equivalent
$57,650 – $149,260+27.5%+60.5% nominal
9Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$99,960
Bachelor's degree
$65,400 – $125,990+27.3%+60.3% nominal
10Construction Managers$155,070
Bachelor's degree
$105,770 – $217,920+27.2%+60.2% nominal
11Home Health and Personal Care Aides$47,730
High school diploma or equivalent
$40,130 – $54,980+26.5%+59.3% nominal
12Gambling Dealers$58,700
High school diploma or equivalent
$34,700 – $132,370+26.4%+59.2% nominal
13Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$127,390
Bachelor's degree
$60,900 – $214,360+26.3%+59.0% nominal
14Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$52,980
High school diploma or equivalent
$43,990 – $61,440+24.4%+56.6% nominal
15Tour and Travel Guides$54,160
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,540 – $76,790+24.0%+56.2% nominal
16Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$41,420
No formal educational credential
$34,890 – $60,300+23.7%+55.7% nominal
17Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$59,510
Postsecondary nondegree award
$36,830 – $99,970+23.1%+55.1% nominal
18Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$59,740
Associate's degree
$46,390 – $77,300+21.8%+53.4% nominal
19Skincare Specialists$79,320
Postsecondary nondegree award
$48,620 – $119,040+21.4%+52.9% nominal
20Special Effects Artists and Animators$133,480
Bachelor's degree
$65,270 – $209,400+20.2%+51.4% nominal
21Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$67,300
High school diploma or equivalent
$46,420 – $97,130+20.1%+51.2% nominal
22Social and Community Service Managers$103,000
Bachelor's degree
$71,270 – $156,990+20.1%+51.3% nominal
23Community Health Workers$57,070
High school diploma or equivalent
$43,820 – $80,680+19.8%+50.9% nominal
24Medical Equipment Preparers$58,830
High school diploma or equivalent
$41,210 – $79,880+19.5%+50.4% nominal
25First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers$98,910
High school diploma or equivalent
$82,560 – $124,530+19.3%+50.2% nominal
26Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$119,320
High school diploma or equivalent
$73,370 – $172,050+18.8%+49.6% nominal
27First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$59,400
High school diploma or equivalent
$44,110 – $81,820+18.7%+49.4% nominal
28Computer Network Architects$168,070
Bachelor's degree
$93,610 – $224,910+18.6%+49.3% nominal
29Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$102,350
Bachelor's degree
$64,610 – $127,570+18.5%+49.2% nominal
30Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$98,980
Postsecondary nondegree award
$58,450 – $117,740+18.2%+48.8% nominal
31Registered Nurses$124,200
Bachelor's degree
$89,630 – $161,910+18.1%+48.8% nominal
32Nursing Assistants$49,180
Postsecondary nondegree award
$42,500 – $62,660+17.6%+48.0% nominal
33Production Workers, All Other$47,060
High school diploma or equivalent
$40,650 – $79,580+17.6%+48.0% nominal
34Tire Repairers and Changers$44,670
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,910 – $58,690+16.8%+47.0% nominal
35Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$42,180
No formal educational credential
$36,090 – $50,100+16.8%+47.1% nominal
36Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$38,870
No formal educational credential
$35,050 – $50,910+15.6%+45.6% nominal
37Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$102,140
Bachelor's degree
$65,250 – $128,170+15.5%+45.4% nominal
38Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$68,910
Master's degree
$47,220 – $110,580+14.8%+44.5% nominal
39Special Education Teachers, Middle School$99,520
Bachelor's degree
$67,650 – $127,390+14.7%+44.4% nominal
40Information Security Analysts$154,940
Bachelor's degree
$96,730 – $211,720+14.6%+44.4% nominal
41Dishwashers$40,080
No formal educational credential
$35,570 – $49,360+14.5%+44.2% nominal
42Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$83,150
Postsecondary nondegree award
$64,230 – $100,950+14.2%+43.8% nominal
43Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$102,670
Bachelor's degree
$62,950 – $128,410+14.1%+43.7% nominal
44Respiratory Therapists$101,130
Associate's degree
$76,080 – $127,520+14.0%+43.5% nominal
45Instructional Coordinators$97,250
Master's degree
$61,660 – $129,430+14.0%+43.5% nominal
46Pharmacy Aides$45,110
High school diploma or equivalent
$36,400 – $60,390+13.8%+43.3% nominal
47Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$101,120
Bachelor's degree
$67,880 – $128,090+13.7%+43.2% nominal
48Computer Occupations, All Other$128,940
Bachelor's degree
$60,210 – $200,610+13.6%+43.0% nominal
49Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$56,160
High school diploma or equivalent
$41,740 – $78,700+13.2%+42.5% nominal
50Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$133,060
High school diploma or equivalent
$80,640 – $147,810+13.1%+42.4% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianWashington	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	Sales and Related Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$75,100	$48,130 – $114,590	+65.4%+108.3% nominal
2	Advertising Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$101,320	$52,510 – $183,700	+54.8%+94.9% nominal
3	Waiters and WaitressesNo formal educational credential	$56,130	$36,710 – $94,930	+39.6%+75.7% nominal
4	Computer Numerically Controlled Tool OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$107,920	$54,590 – $116,670	+37.1%+72.6% nominal
5	VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree	$160,510	$97,140 – $265,600	+35.0%+70.0% nominal
6	Manicurists and PedicuristsPostsecondary nondegree award	$49,900	$38,660 – $63,430	+29.0%+62.4% nominal
7	BartendersNo formal educational credential	$55,830	$39,380 – $90,130	+27.8%+60.9% nominal
8	Sheet Metal WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$98,550	$57,650 – $149,260	+27.5%+60.5% nominal
9	Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special EducationBachelor's degree	$99,960	$65,400 – $125,990	+27.3%+60.3% nominal
10	Construction ManagersBachelor's degree	$155,070	$105,770 – $217,920	+27.2%+60.2% nominal
11	Home Health and Personal Care AidesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47,730	$40,130 – $54,980	+26.5%+59.3% nominal
12	Gambling DealersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$58,700	$34,700 – $132,370	+26.4%+59.2% nominal
13	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific ProductsBachelor's degree	$127,390	$60,900 – $214,360	+26.3%+59.0% nominal
14	Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except SawingHigh school diploma or equivalent	$52,980	$43,990 – $61,440	+24.4%+56.6% nominal
15	Tour and Travel GuidesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$54,160	$37,540 – $76,790	+24.0%+56.2% nominal
16	Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender HelpersNo formal educational credential	$41,420	$34,890 – $60,300	+23.7%+55.7% nominal
17	Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and CosmetologistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$59,510	$36,830 – $99,970	+23.1%+55.1% nominal
18	Veterinary Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$59,740	$46,390 – $77,300	+21.8%+53.4% nominal
19	Skincare SpecialistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$79,320	$48,620 – $119,040	+21.4%+52.9% nominal
20	Special Effects Artists and AnimatorsBachelor's degree	$133,480	$65,270 – $209,400	+20.2%+51.4% nominal
21	Chemical Equipment Operators and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$67,300	$46,420 – $97,130	+20.1%+51.2% nominal
22	Social and Community Service ManagersBachelor's degree	$103,000	$71,270 – $156,990	+20.1%+51.3% nominal
23	Community Health WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$57,070	$43,820 – $80,680	+19.8%+50.9% nominal
24	Medical Equipment PreparersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$58,830	$41,210 – $79,880	+19.5%+50.4% nominal
25	First-Line Supervisors of Correctional OfficersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$98,910	$82,560 – $124,530	+19.3%+50.2% nominal
26	Property, Real Estate, and Community Association ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$119,320	$73,370 – $172,050	+18.8%+49.6% nominal
27	First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$59,400	$44,110 – $81,820	+18.7%+49.4% nominal
28	Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree	$168,070	$93,610 – $224,910	+18.6%+49.3% nominal
29	Elementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationBachelor's degree	$102,350	$64,610 – $127,570	+18.5%+49.2% nominal
30	Aircraft Mechanics and Service TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$98,980	$58,450 – $117,740	+18.2%+48.8% nominal
31	Registered NursesBachelor's degree	$124,200	$89,630 – $161,910	+18.1%+48.8% nominal
32	Nursing AssistantsPostsecondary nondegree award	$49,180	$42,500 – $62,660	+17.6%+48.0% nominal
33	Production Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47,060	$40,650 – $79,580	+17.6%+48.0% nominal
34	Tire Repairers and ChangersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$44,670	$37,910 – $58,690	+16.8%+47.0% nominal
35	Maids and Housekeeping CleanersNo formal educational credential	$42,180	$36,090 – $50,100	+16.8%+47.1% nominal
36	Food Servers, NonrestaurantNo formal educational credential	$38,870	$35,050 – $50,910	+15.6%+45.6% nominal
37	Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationBachelor's degree	$102,140	$65,250 – $128,170	+15.5%+45.4% nominal
38	Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health CounselorsMaster's degree	$68,910	$47,220 – $110,580	+14.8%+44.5% nominal
39	Special Education Teachers, Middle SchoolBachelor's degree	$99,520	$67,650 – $127,390	+14.7%+44.4% nominal
40	Information Security AnalystsBachelor's degree	$154,940	$96,730 – $211,720	+14.6%+44.4% nominal
41	DishwashersNo formal educational credential	$40,080	$35,570 – $49,360	+14.5%+44.2% nominal
42	Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesPostsecondary nondegree award	$83,150	$64,230 – $100,950	+14.2%+43.8% nominal
43	Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationBachelor's degree	$102,670	$62,950 – $128,410	+14.1%+43.7% nominal
44	Respiratory TherapistsAssociate's degree	$101,130	$76,080 – $127,520	+14.0%+43.5% nominal
45	Instructional CoordinatorsMaster's degree	$97,250	$61,660 – $129,430	+14.0%+43.5% nominal
46	Pharmacy AidesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45,110	$36,400 – $60,390	+13.8%+43.3% nominal
47	Special Education Teachers, Secondary SchoolBachelor's degree	$101,120	$67,880 – $128,090	+13.7%+43.2% nominal
48	Computer Occupations, All OtherBachelor's degree	$128,940	$60,210 – $200,610	+13.6%+43.0% nominal
49	Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$56,160	$41,740 – $78,700	+13.2%+42.5% nominal
50	Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$133,060	$80,640 – $147,810	+13.1%+42.4% nominal

More for Washington

Metro areas in Washington

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in Washington

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in Washington to rank honestly.

Jobs that actually got a raise in Washington

More for Washington

Metro areas in Washington

By field in Washington

Without a degree

Jobs that actually got a raise in each state