Jobs that pay the biggest premium in Washington
Each occupation's median wage in Washington compared against the national median for the same occupation. Unlike a cost-of-living adjustment — which scales every job in a state by the same constant and so cannot change their order — this genuinely re-ranks, and it shows where Washington pays a real premium. Limited to occupations with at least 1,000 workers in the state.
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianWashington | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | vs. national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Numerically Controlled Tool OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $107,920 | $54,590 – $116,670 | +112.9% |
| 2 | Skincare SpecialistsPostsecondary nondegree award | $79,320 | $48,620 – $119,040 | +75.0% |
| 3 | ParamedicsPostsecondary nondegree award | $104,310 | $61,010 – $133,040 | +72.1% |
| 4 | Gambling DealersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $58,700 | $34,700 – $132,370 | +71.0% |
| 5 | Tool and Die MakersPostsecondary nondegree award | $109,390 | $58,560 – $116,850 | +70.8% |
| 6 | Property, Real Estate, and Community Association ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $119,320 | $73,370 – $172,050 | +70.5% |
| 7 | Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems AssemblersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $110,470 | $63,110 – $110,470 | +69.0% |
| 8 | PipelayersNo formal educational credential | $82,450 | $61,010 – $101,310 | +68.3% |
| 9 | Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and CosmetologistsPostsecondary nondegree award | $59,510 | $36,830 – $99,970 | +66.3% |
| 10 | BartendersNo formal educational credential | $55,830 | $39,380 – $90,130 | +62.6% |
| 11 | Elementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationBachelor's degree | $102,350 | $64,610 – $127,570 | +60.0% |
| 12 | BarbersPostsecondary nondegree award | $61,150 | $52,540 – $76,480 | +60.0% |
| 13 | Sheet Metal WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $98,550 | $57,650 – $149,260 | +59.5% |
| 14 | Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special EducationBachelor's degree | $99,960 | $65,400 – $125,990 | +59.5% |
| 15 | FirefightersPostsecondary nondegree award | $94,520 | $47,640 – $123,980 | +59.4% |
| 16 | Waiters and WaitressesNo formal educational credential | $56,130 | $36,710 – $94,930 | +59.3% |
| 17 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $339,810 | $160,110 – $607,100 | +58.8% |
| 18 | Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationBachelor's degree | $102,140 | $65,250 – $128,170 | +58.7% |
| 19 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryMaster's degree | $166,590 | $111,830 – $205,500 | +57.4% |
| 20 | Advertising Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $101,320 | $52,510 – $183,700 | +56.3% |
| 21 | Sales and Related Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent | $75,100 | $48,130 – $114,590 | +55.6% |
| 22 | Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary SchoolBachelor's degree | $101,180 | $69,270 – $127,890 | +52.7% |
| 23 | Logging Equipment OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $75,140 | $61,300 – $83,750 | +51.1% |
| 24 | Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $125,160 | $108,200 – $125,160 | +51.0% |
| 25 | ElectriciansHigh school diploma or equivalent | $95,220 | $52,170 – $133,950 | +50.7% |
| 26 | Refuse and Recyclable Material CollectorsNo formal educational credential | $74,620 | $54,070 – $88,990 | +50.2% |
| 27 | Real Estate Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $79,130 | $48,680 – $114,090 | +49.8% |
| 28 | Massage TherapistsPostsecondary nondegree award | $87,360 | $61,850 – $115,800 | +49.5% |
| 29 | Special Education Teachers, Middle SchoolBachelor's degree | $99,520 | $67,650 – $127,390 | +49.0% |
| 30 | Public Safety TelecommunicatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $78,850 | $56,920 – $96,130 | +48.7% |
| 31 | Crane and Tower OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $101,110 | $63,180 – $133,550 | +48.5% |
| 32 | Librarians and Media Collections SpecialistsMaster's degree | $100,030 | $64,440 – $129,690 | +46.5% |
| 33 | Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary SchoolBachelor's degree | $95,040 | $65,950 – $126,570 | +45.9% |
| 34 | Computer and Information Research ScientistsMaster's degree | $202,400 | $95,890 – $281,050 | +44.3% |
| 35 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationBachelor's degree | $102,670 | $62,950 – $128,410 | +42.5% |
| 36 | Tour and Travel GuidesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $54,160 | $37,540 – $76,790 | +42.1% |
| 37 | Web DevelopersBachelor's degree | $130,440 | $70,520 – $172,060 | +40.8% |
| 38 | Library TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award | $62,570 | $50,310 – $76,860 | +40.4% |
| 39 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $133,060 | $80,640 – $147,810 | +39.6% |
| 40 | Manicurists and PedicuristsPostsecondary nondegree award | $49,900 | $38,660 – $63,430 | +39.5% |
| 41 | First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention WorkersPostsecondary nondegree award | $129,350 | $79,440 – $160,630 | +38.3% |
| 42 | Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and WallNo formal educational credential | $67,750 | $45,380 – $132,770 | +37.9% |
| 43 | Food Service ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $95,190 | $68,240 – $138,210 | +37.2% |
| 44 | First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $109,570 | $73,410 – $167,120 | +37.1% |
| 45 | Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $81,700 | $57,200 – $125,490 | +36.5% |
| 46 | Special Education Teachers, Secondary SchoolBachelor's degree | $101,120 | $67,880 – $128,090 | +36.2% |
| 47 | Cement Masons and Concrete FinishersNo formal educational credential | $77,520 | $49,710 – $125,720 | +36.0% |
| 48 | Data ScientistsBachelor's degree | $163,350 | $79,930 – $220,040 | +35.9% |
| 49 | Construction ManagersBachelor's degree | $155,070 | $105,770 – $217,920 | +34.9% |
| 50 | Correctional Officers and JailersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $79,460 | $64,460 – $95,430 | +34.8% |