Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Washington

Every occupation here is paid more in dollars than it was in 2019 and less in what those dollars buy. Prices rose about 26% over the period; these wages did not keep up. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people.

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

1Computer Programmers$125,620
Bachelor's degree
$84,760 – $166,400-24.7%-5.1% nominal
2Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$50,830
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,960 – $93,450-23.8%-4.0% nominal
3Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$137,520
Doctoral or professional degree
$79,520 – $306,040-23.4%-3.6% nominal
4Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary$50,460
Bachelor's degree
$34,650 – $64,740-22.6%-2.5% nominal
5Mechanical Drafters$76,820
Associate's degree
$53,500 – $137,690-22.2%-2.0% nominal
6Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$59,490
No formal educational credential
$45,530 – $75,280-21.5%-1.1% nominal
7Hazardous Materials Removal Workers$60,160
High school diploma or equivalent
$45,460 – $104,530-21.3%-0.9% nominal
8Avionics Technicians$91,380
Postsecondary nondegree award
$67,540 – $116,920-18.8%+2.2% nominal
9Roofers$60,640
No formal educational credential
$47,860 – $104,000-18.6%+2.5% nominal
10Dentists, General$169,730
Doctoral or professional degree
$85,240 – $346,840-18.2%+3.0% nominal
11Travel Agents$55,260
High school diploma or equivalent
$45,190 – $92,390-17.5%+3.9% nominal
12Self-Enrichment Teachers$48,020
High school diploma or equivalent
$36,360 – $80,410-17.5%+3.9% nominal
13Statisticians$105,650
Master's degree
$81,250 – $166,760-16.8%+4.8% nominal
14Operations Research Analysts$98,030
Bachelor's degree
$68,580 – $155,790-16.6%+5.0% nominal
15Tax Preparers$45,370
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,260 – $71,480-15.5%+6.4% nominal
16Training and Development Specialists$81,860
Bachelor's degree
$47,910 – $135,800-15.4%+6.5% nominal
17Glaziers$66,860
High school diploma or equivalent
$46,650 – $131,280-13.9%+8.4% nominal
18Forest and Conservation Technicians$54,160
Associate's degree
$44,950 – $82,530-13.9%+8.4% nominal
19Opticians, Dispensing$49,220
High school diploma or equivalent
$41,120 – $78,830-13.7%+8.7% nominal
20Computer Hardware Engineers$169,120
Bachelor's degree
$100,120 – $260,210-13.4%+9.1% nominal
21Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$49,050
Some college, no degree
$39,090 – $74,830-13.3%+9.2% nominal
22Interpreters and Translators$61,750
Bachelor's degree
$44,640 – $105,710-12.5%+10.2% nominal
23Insurance Sales Agents$61,040
High school diploma or equivalent
$44,140 – $128,680-12.5%+10.2% nominal
24Barbers$61,150
Postsecondary nondegree award
$52,540 – $76,480-12.3%+10.5% nominal
25Physical Therapist Assistants$66,450
Associate's degree
$36,610 – $93,140-11.9%+10.9% nominal
26Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$58,360
High school diploma or equivalent
$45,140 – $93,600-11.5%+11.4% nominal
27Marketing Managers$172,270
Bachelor's degree
$98,220 – $293,590-11.5%+11.4% nominal
28Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$58,500
Bachelor's degree
$40,990 – $88,670-11.0%+12.1% nominal
29Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$76,070
High school diploma or equivalent
$49,320 – $103,360-11.0%+12.1% nominal
30Procurement Clerks$52,910
High school diploma or equivalent
$43,760 – $69,240-10.8%+12.4% nominal
31Order Clerks$47,990
Some college, no degree
$42,710 – $66,400-10.6%+12.5% nominal
32Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$80,700
High school diploma or equivalent
$50,080 – $122,840-10.3%+13.0% nominal
33Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$77,610
Postsecondary nondegree award
$50,200 – $101,630-9.6%+13.9% nominal
34First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$79,310
High school diploma or equivalent
$55,020 – $122,830-9.4%+14.1% nominal
35Management Analysts$109,170
Bachelor's degree
$72,910 – $194,090-9.1%+14.5% nominal
36Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$81,630
Doctoral or professional degree
$58,320 – $133,840-9.1%+14.5% nominal
37Network and Computer Systems Administrators$103,910
Bachelor's degree
$67,500 – $154,620-9.1%+14.5% nominal
38Editors$77,850
Bachelor's degree
$50,320 – $128,630-9.0%+14.6% nominal
39Property Appraisers and Assessors$83,710
Bachelor's degree
$53,310 – $121,680-9.0%+14.7% nominal
40Education Teachers, Postsecondary$75,170
Doctoral or professional degree
$50,540 – $103,650-8.8%+14.8% nominal
41Chemists$97,420
Bachelor's degree
$62,690 – $165,090-8.8%+14.8% nominal
42Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$63,080
High school diploma or equivalent
$45,530 – $95,660-8.4%+15.3% nominal
43Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels$103,730
Postsecondary nondegree award
$57,350 – $153,330-7.9%+15.9% nominal
44Sailors and Marine Oilers$66,700
No formal educational credential
$45,200 – $84,120-7.9%+16.0% nominal
45Personal Financial Advisors$114,050
Bachelor's degree
$58,650 – $344,850-7.9%+16.0% nominal
46Graphic Designers$72,710
Bachelor's degree
$47,780 – $115,210-7.7%+16.3% nominal
47Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall$67,750
No formal educational credential
$45,380 – $132,770-7.7%+16.2% nominal
48Electrical Engineers$132,710
Bachelor's degree
$85,540 – $185,690-7.1%+17.0% nominal
49Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists$83,780
Bachelor's degree
$62,070 – $129,850-6.9%+17.3% nominal
50Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$86,630
Bachelor's degree
$60,750 – $135,810-6.8%+17.4% 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	Computer ProgrammersBachelor's degree	$125,620	$84,760 – $166,400	-24.7%-5.1% nominal
2	Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness InstructorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$50,830	$38,960 – $93,450	-23.8%-4.0% nominal
3	Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$137,520	$79,520 – $306,040	-23.4%-3.6% nominal
4	Teaching Assistants, PostsecondaryBachelor's degree	$50,460	$34,650 – $64,740	-22.6%-2.5% nominal
5	Mechanical DraftersAssociate's degree	$76,820	$53,500 – $137,690	-22.2%-2.0% nominal
6	Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine OperatorsNo formal educational credential	$59,490	$45,530 – $75,280	-21.5%-1.1% nominal
7	Hazardous Materials Removal WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$60,160	$45,460 – $104,530	-21.3%-0.9% nominal
8	Avionics TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$91,380	$67,540 – $116,920	-18.8%+2.2% nominal
9	RoofersNo formal educational credential	$60,640	$47,860 – $104,000	-18.6%+2.5% nominal
10	Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree	$169,730	$85,240 – $346,840	-18.2%+3.0% nominal
11	Travel AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$55,260	$45,190 – $92,390	-17.5%+3.9% nominal
12	Self-Enrichment TeachersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48,020	$36,360 – $80,410	-17.5%+3.9% nominal
13	StatisticiansMaster's degree	$105,650	$81,250 – $166,760	-16.8%+4.8% nominal
14	Operations Research AnalystsBachelor's degree	$98,030	$68,580 – $155,790	-16.6%+5.0% nominal
15	Tax PreparersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45,370	$38,260 – $71,480	-15.5%+6.4% nominal
16	Training and Development SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$81,860	$47,910 – $135,800	-15.4%+6.5% nominal
17	GlaziersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$66,860	$46,650 – $131,280	-13.9%+8.4% nominal
18	Forest and Conservation TechniciansAssociate's degree	$54,160	$44,950 – $82,530	-13.9%+8.4% nominal
19	Opticians, DispensingHigh school diploma or equivalent	$49,220	$41,120 – $78,830	-13.7%+8.7% nominal
20	Computer Hardware EngineersBachelor's degree	$169,120	$100,120 – $260,210	-13.4%+9.1% nominal
21	Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine RepairersSome college, no degree	$49,050	$39,090 – $74,830	-13.3%+9.2% nominal
22	Interpreters and TranslatorsBachelor's degree	$61,750	$44,640 – $105,710	-12.5%+10.2% nominal
23	Insurance Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$61,040	$44,140 – $128,680	-12.5%+10.2% nominal
24	BarbersPostsecondary nondegree award	$61,150	$52,540 – $76,480	-12.3%+10.5% nominal
25	Physical Therapist AssistantsAssociate's degree	$66,450	$36,610 – $93,140	-11.9%+10.9% nominal
26	Legal Secretaries and Administrative AssistantsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$58,360	$45,140 – $93,600	-11.5%+11.4% nominal
27	Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree	$172,270	$98,220 – $293,590	-11.5%+11.4% nominal
28	Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All OtherBachelor's degree	$58,500	$40,990 – $88,670	-11.0%+12.1% nominal
29	Telecommunications Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$76,070	$49,320 – $103,360	-11.0%+12.1% nominal
30	Procurement ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$52,910	$43,760 – $69,240	-10.8%+12.4% nominal
31	Order ClerksSome college, no degree	$47,990	$42,710 – $66,400	-10.6%+12.5% nominal
32	Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$80,700	$50,080 – $122,840	-10.3%+13.0% nominal
33	Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line InstallersPostsecondary nondegree award	$77,610	$50,200 – $101,630	-9.6%+13.9% nominal
34	First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$79,310	$55,020 – $122,830	-9.4%+14.1% nominal
35	Management AnalystsBachelor's degree	$109,170	$72,910 – $194,090	-9.1%+14.5% nominal
36	Nursing Instructors and Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$81,630	$58,320 – $133,840	-9.1%+14.5% nominal
37	Network and Computer Systems AdministratorsBachelor's degree	$103,910	$67,500 – $154,620	-9.1%+14.5% nominal
38	EditorsBachelor's degree	$77,850	$50,320 – $128,630	-9.0%+14.6% nominal
39	Property Appraisers and AssessorsBachelor's degree	$83,710	$53,310 – $121,680	-9.0%+14.7% nominal
40	Education Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$75,170	$50,540 – $103,650	-8.8%+14.8% nominal
41	ChemistsBachelor's degree	$97,420	$62,690 – $165,090	-8.8%+14.8% nominal
42	Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$63,080	$45,530 – $95,660	-8.4%+15.3% nominal
43	Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water VesselsPostsecondary nondegree award	$103,730	$57,350 – $153,330	-7.9%+15.9% nominal
44	Sailors and Marine OilersNo formal educational credential	$66,700	$45,200 – $84,120	-7.9%+16.0% nominal
45	Personal Financial AdvisorsBachelor's degree	$114,050	$58,650 – $344,850	-7.9%+16.0% nominal
46	Graphic DesignersBachelor's degree	$72,710	$47,780 – $115,210	-7.7%+16.3% nominal
47	Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and WallNo formal educational credential	$67,750	$45,380 – $132,770	-7.7%+16.2% nominal
48	Electrical EngineersBachelor's degree	$132,710	$85,540 – $185,690	-7.1%+17.0% nominal
49	Zoologists and Wildlife BiologistsBachelor's degree	$83,780	$62,070 – $129,850	-6.9%+17.3% nominal
50	Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$86,630	$60,750 – $135,810	-6.8%+17.4% 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 lost the most to inflation in Washington

More for Washington

Metro areas in Washington

By field in Washington

Without a degree

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in each state