Highest-paying jobs in Washington
Answer
Radiologists have the highest median pay in Washington, $239,200+ a year, followed by anesthesiologists ($499,990) and general internal medicine physicians ($340,010). The median for all jobs in Washington is $62,990, 3rd of the 50 states and DC; adjusted for local prices it ranks 5th.
- Median salary, all jobs
- $62,990
- 3rd of 51 · US $50,980
- Median hourly wage
- $30.28
- US $24.51
- Price level (US = 100)
- 107.0
- Median worth $58,862 at US prices (5th)
- Jobs
- 3,550,970
- 701 occupations published
How these lists work
Occupations with at least 500 jobs in Washington, ranked by median annual wage (BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates). Typical entry education from BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Occupations BLS did not publish for Washington are not listed. Methodology
The 25 highest-paying jobs in Washington
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | US median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Radiologists | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | 1,480 | $420,860 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 2 | Anesthesiologists | $499,990 | $240.38 | 1,540 | $391,490 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 3 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $340,010 | $163.47 | 1,100 | $256,560 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 4 | Chief Executives | $339,810 | $163.37 | 3,170 | $213,990 | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Family Medicine Physicians | $292,900 | $140.82 | 1,270 | $244,180 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 6 | Nurse Anesthetists | $274,390 | $131.92 | 760 | $236,590 | Master's degree |
| 7 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $229,900 | — | 3,450 | $232,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $209,370 | $100.66 | 16,960 | $175,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Computer and Information Research Scientists | $202,400 | $97.31 | 2,050 | $140,300 | Master's degree |
| 10 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $189,680 | $91.19 | 6,060 | $171,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Natural Sciences Managers | $182,480 | $87.73 | 2,490 | $167,220 | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Financial Managers | $174,840 | $84.06 | 12,930 | $166,570 | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Sales Managers | $174,000 | $83.65 | 10,030 | $148,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Marketing Managers | $172,270 | $82.82 | 8,880 | $166,790 | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Dentists, General | $169,730 | $81.60 | 3,240 | $170,950 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 16 | Computer Hardware Engineers | $169,120 | $81.31 | 1,800 | $161,740 | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Computer Network Architects | $168,070 | $80.81 | 4,730 | $134,050 | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $166,590 | — | 6,470 | $105,870 | Master's degree |
| 19 | Software Developers | $166,540 | $80.07 | 107,030 | $135,980 | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Human Resources Managers | $165,530 | $79.58 | 4,560 | $149,280 | Bachelor's degree |
| 21 | Physician Assistants | $164,360 | $79.02 | 3,540 | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| 22 | Advertising and Promotions Managers | $163,380 | $78.55 | 530 | $133,660 | Bachelor's degree |
| 23 | Training and Development Managers | $163,360 | $78.54 | 720 | $133,000 | Bachelor's degree |
| 24 | Data Scientists | $163,350 | $78.54 | 9,600 | $120,230 | Bachelor's degree |
| 25 | Purchasing Managers | $162,730 | $78.24 | 1,770 | $148,080 | Bachelor's degree |
Highest-paying jobs in Washington without a degree
Typical entry education is a high school diploma, no formal credential, some college or a postsecondary certificate.
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | $137,180 | $65.95 | 540 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 2 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $136,500 | $65.62 | 2,490 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 3 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $136,280 | $65.52 | 2,750 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 4 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $133,060 | $63.97 | 2,340 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 5 | Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $119,320 | $57.37 | 2,950 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 6 | Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $115,790 | $55.67 | 1,850 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 7 | Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | $110,470 | $53.11 | 4,280 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 8 | First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $109,570 | $52.68 | 19,550 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 9 | Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators | $107,920 | $51.88 | 2,270 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $107,660 | $51.76 | 850 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $104,910 | $50.44 | 570 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $103,620 | $49.82 | 930 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $102,080 | $49.08 | 9,160 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 14 | Advertising Sales Agents | $101,320 | $48.71 | 3,510 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 15 | Crane and Tower Operators | $101,110 | $48.61 | 1,030 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Most common jobs in Washington
| # | Occupation | Jobs | Median pay | Hourly median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Software Developers | 107,030 | $166,540 | $80.07 | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 103,260 | $47,730 | $22.95 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 3 | Fast Food and Counter Workers | 94,710 | $37,710 | $18.13 | No formal educational credential |
| 4 | Retail Salespersons | 84,850 | $39,560 | $19.02 | No formal educational credential |
| 5 | Registered Nurses | 69,260 | $124,200 | $59.71 | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Cashiers | 61,050 | $38,720 | $18.62 | No formal educational credential |
| 7 | Stockers and Order Fillers | 57,370 | $44,620 | $21.45 | No formal educational credential |
| 8 | General and Operations Managers | 50,630 | $133,750 | $64.30 | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 49,450 | $46,190 | $22.21 | No formal educational credential |
| 10 | Office Clerks, General | 49,050 | $50,500 | $24.28 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 47,380 | $45,520 | $21.89 | No formal educational credential |
| 12 | Waiters and Waitresses | 45,400 | $56,130 | $26.98 | No formal educational credential |
| 13 | Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | 43,420 | $49,120 | — | Some college, no degree |
| 14 | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 40,530 | $64,760 | $31.13 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 15 | Customer Service Representatives | 39,760 | $50,330 | $24.20 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 16 | Project Management Specialists | 36,240 | $124,160 | $59.69 | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Cooks, Restaurant | 35,140 | $46,800 | $22.50 | No formal educational credential |
| 18 | Accountants and Auditors | 34,740 | $96,550 | $46.42 | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | 32,930 | $58,620 | $28.18 | Some college, no degree |
| 20 | Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | 32,450 | $59,160 | $28.44 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Jobs concentrated in Washington
Concentration is the location quotient: the occupation’s share of jobs in the state divided by its share nationally. 2.0× means twice as common as in the US overall.
| # | Occupation | Concentration vs. US | Jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avionics Technicians | 7.9× | 3,400 | $91,380 |
| 2 | Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | 6.2× | 1,590 | $125,160 |
| 3 | Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | 5.5× | 4,280 | $110,470 |
| 4 | Tapers | 5.3× | 1,550 | $79,040 |
| 5 | Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | 4.9× | 2,830 | $34,950 |
| 6 | Web and Digital Interface Designers | 4.5× | 11,580 | $130,480 |
| 7 | Statisticians | 4.5× | 2,960 | $105,650 |
| 8 | Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | 4.4× | 1,840 | $83,780 |
| 9 | Foresters | 4.0× | 950 | $78,460 |
| 10 | Nuclear Engineers | 4.0× | 1,380 | $129,480 |
| 11 | Ship Engineers | 3.8× | 730 | $107,940 |
| 12 | Aerospace Engineers | 3.7× | 5,760 | $158,370 |
What 138 careers pay in Washington
Click a heading to sort
| Radiologist | $239,200+ | — | — | $420,860 | 1,480 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiologist | $656,330 | 1 | $613,318 | $496,010 | 200 |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $553,310 | 7 | $517,049 | $358,550 | 290 |
| Dermatologist | $526,170 | 2 | $491,688 | $328,730 | 170 |
| Anesthesiologist | $499,990 | 1 | $467,224 | $391,490 | 1,540 |
| OB-GYN | $343,140 | 16 | $320,653 | $292,910 | 270 |
| Neurologist | $327,140 | 12 | $305,701 | $248,560 | 180 |
| Psychiatrist | $304,920 | 11 | $284,937 | $281,870 | 360 |
| Pathologist | $300,680 | 18 | $280,975 | $312,400 | 200 |
| Orthodontist | $290,430 | 12 | $271,397 | $289,140 | 290 |
| CRNA | $274,390 | 11 | $256,408 | $236,590 | 760 |
| Airline Pilot | $229,900 | 10 | $214,834 | $232,140 | 3,450 |
| Marketing Manager | $172,270 | 9 | $160,980 | $166,790 | 8,880 |
| Dentist | $169,730 | 25 | $158,607 | $170,950 | 3,240 |
| Pediatrician | $169,540 | 45 | $158,429 | $210,040 | 480 |
| Computer Engineer | $169,120 | 2 | $158,037 | $161,740 | 1,800 |
| Network Engineer | $168,070 | 1 | $157,056 | $134,050 | 4,730 |
| School Principal | $166,590 | 1 | $155,673 | $105,870 | 6,470 |
| Software Engineer | $166,540 | 2 | $155,626 | $135,980 | 107,030 |
| HR Manager | $165,530 | 10 | $154,682 | $149,280 | 4,560 |
| Physician Assistant | $164,360 | 3 | $153,589 | $135,880 | 3,540 |
| Data Scientist | $163,350 | 1 | $152,645 | $120,230 | 9,600 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $162,570 | 7 | $151,916 | $148,080 | 620 |
| Underwater Welder (Commercial Diver data) | $161,800 | 1 | $151,197 | $72,990 | — |
| Pharmacist | $160,610 | 5 | $150,085 | $140,910 | 7,350 |
| Veterinarian | $160,510 | 3 | $149,991 | $130,100 | 2,390 |
| Nurse Midwife | $158,970 | 4 | $148,552 | $134,040 | 170 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $158,370 | 2 | $147,991 | $134,960 | 5,760 |
| Optometrist | $157,560 | 8 | $147,234 | $136,570 | 760 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $156,100 | 3 | $145,870 | $132,300 | 6,700 |
| Construction Manager | $155,070 | 2 | $144,908 | $114,990 | 6,010 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $154,940 | 1 | $144,786 | $129,180 | 6,030 |
| Lawyer | $154,130 | 14 | $144,029 | $159,670 | 12,770 |
| Healthcare Administrator | $145,290 | 5 | $135,769 | $123,860 | 7,490 |
| Elevator Mechanic | $137,180 | 7 | $128,190 | $109,910 | 540 |
| Actuary | $134,720 | 7 | $125,891 | $130,000 | 360 |
| Judge | $134,270 | 26 | $125,471 | $153,990 | 1,040 |
| Operations Manager | $133,750 | 6 | $124,985 | $105,770 | 50,630 |
| Lineman | $133,060 | 2 | $124,340 | $95,320 | 2,340 |
| Electrical Engineer | $132,710 | 5 | $124,013 | $120,630 | 7,610 |
| Dental Hygienist | $131,160 | 3 | $122,565 | $98,100 | 6,330 |
| UX Designer | $130,480 | 2 | $121,929 | $104,000 | 11,580 |
| Web Developer | $130,440 | 1 | $121,892 | $92,650 | 4,430 |
| Chemical Engineer | $128,290 | 9 | $119,883 | $125,040 | 650 |
| Radiation Therapist | $125,880 | 5 | $117,631 | $105,310 | 540 |
| Registered Nurse | $124,200 | 4 | $116,061 | $97,550 | 69,260 |
| Labor and Delivery Nurse (RN data) | $124,200 | 4 | $116,061 | $97,550 | 69,260 |
| NICU Nurse (RN data) | $124,200 | 4 | $116,061 | $97,550 | 69,260 |
| Travel Nurse (RN data) | $124,200 | 4 | $116,061 | $97,550 | 69,260 |
| ICU Nurse (RN data) | $124,200 | 4 | $116,061 | $97,550 | 69,260 |
| Pediatric Nurse (RN data) | $124,200 | 4 | $116,061 | $97,550 | 69,260 |
| Project Manager | $124,160 | 1 | $116,023 | $102,320 | 36,240 |
| MRI Technician | $122,750 | 3 | $114,706 | $95,480 | 960 |
| Ultrasound Technician | $121,340 | 3 | $113,388 | $96,590 | 2,190 |
| Commercial Pilot | $117,730 | 22 | $110,015 | $123,220 | 890 |
| Detective | $115,790 | 6 | $108,202 | $93,790 | 1,850 |
| Psychologist | $115,240 | 9 | $107,688 | $100,580 | 1,270 |
| Financial Advisor | $114,050 | 11 | $106,576 | $105,070 | 5,790 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $110,430 | 14 | $103,193 | $104,110 | 8,240 |
| Civil Engineer | $110,000 | 3 | $102,791 | $100,840 | 12,590 |
| Business Analyst | $109,170 | 6 | $102,016 | $101,860 | 24,760 |
| School Psychologist | $108,780 | 5 | $101,651 | $95,990 | 1,420 |
| Audiologist | $108,580 | 9 | $101,464 | $95,780 | 320 |
| Occupational Therapist | $107,670 | 5 | $100,614 | $100,330 | 3,340 |
| Court Reporter | $107,670 | 3 | $100,614 | $72,420 | 80 |
| Financial Analyst | $107,210 | 8 | $100,184 | $102,740 | 8,820 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,950 | 7 | $99,007 | $102,760 | 5,370 |
| Speech-language Pathologist | $105,550 | 4 | $98,633 | $97,870 | 3,570 |
| Paramedic | $104,310 | 1 | $97,474 | $60,600 | 2,110 |
| Chiropractor | $104,070 | 4 | $97,250 | $79,200 | 1,130 |
| High School Teacher | $102,670 | 1 | $95,942 | $72,040 | 14,880 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $102,350 | 1 | $95,643 | $63,970 | 28,980 |
| Radiology Technician | $102,090 | 5 | $95,400 | $80,110 | 4,130 |
| Police Officer | $102,080 | 2 | $95,390 | $76,210 | 9,160 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $101,130 | 5 | $94,503 | $82,280 | 1,860 |
| Crane Operator | $101,110 | 4 | $94,484 | $68,080 | 1,030 |
| Architect | $100,190 | 18 | $93,624 | $99,280 | 3,720 |
| Librarian | $100,030 | 1 | $93,475 | $68,270 | 2,750 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $98,980 | 4 | $92,493 | $79,870 | 4,480 |
| Accountant | $96,550 | 8 | $90,223 | $83,680 | 34,740 |
| Electrician | $95,220 | 4 | $88,980 | $63,190 | 19,380 |
| Firefighter | $94,520 | 2 | $88,326 | $59,280 | 7,560 |
| Meteorologist | $94,400 | 29 | $88,214 | $99,070 | 190 |
| Massage Therapist | $87,360 | 2 | $81,635 | $58,450 | 3,740 |
| HR Specialist | $84,550 | 3 | $79,009 | $75,940 | 22,770 |
| Nutritionist | $84,220 | 5 | $78,701 | $76,400 | 1,450 |
| Cardiovascular Technologist | $83,790 | 14 | $78,299 | $74,310 | 1,110 |
| Marine Biologist (Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist data) | $83,780 | 10 | $78,290 | $76,780 | 1,840 |
| LPN | $83,150 | 1 | $77,701 | $64,400 | 6,780 |
| School Counselor | $82,670 | 3 | $77,252 | $64,330 | 6,610 |
| Forensic Scientist | $81,310 | 8 | $75,981 | $72,060 | 390 |
| Plumber | $81,030 | 8 | $75,720 | $63,800 | 12,470 |
| Claims Adjuster | $80,700 | 13 | $75,411 | $78,000 | 6,180 |
| Loan Officer | $80,120 | 17 | $74,869 | $76,690 | 6,040 |
| Correctional Officer | $79,460 | 5 | $74,253 | $58,940 | 6,800 |
| Paralegal | $79,400 | 2 | $74,197 | $62,890 | 9,460 |
| Esthetician | $79,320 | 1 | $74,122 | $45,330 | 2,200 |
| Real Estate Agent | $79,130 | 6 | $73,944 | $52,830 | 5,150 |
| Train Conductor | $79,040 | 10 | $73,860 | $78,000 | 810 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $77,900 | 2 | $72,795 | $61,770 | 7,410 |
| Surgical Technician | $77,270 | 10 | $72,206 | $64,650 | 2,510 |
| Interior Designer | $76,570 | 6 | $71,552 | $67,190 | 1,330 |
| Chef | $76,010 | 4 | $71,029 | $62,470 | 5,320 |
| HVAC Technician | $75,660 | 7 | $70,702 | $61,010 | 7,370 |
| IT Support Specialist | $75,220 | 3 | $70,291 | $61,860 | 21,860 |
| Garbage Collector | $74,620 | 2 | $69,730 | $49,690 | 3,750 |
| Carpenter | $74,190 | 5 | $69,328 | $60,580 | 26,960 |
| Flight Attendant | $74,090 | 6 | $69,235 | $63,580 | — |
| Medical Lab Technician | $72,760 | 10 | $67,992 | $62,930 | 7,430 |
| Graphic Designer | $72,710 | 8 | $67,945 | $62,960 | 3,960 |
| Bus Driver | $72,280 | 2 | $67,543 | $59,050 | 6,960 |
| Mental Health Counselor | $68,910 | 4 | $64,394 | $59,350 | 14,250 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $66,450 | 21 | $62,095 | $68,380 | 2,150 |
| Truck Driver | $64,760 | 2 | $60,516 | $58,640 | 40,530 |
| Private Investigator | $64,080 | 6 | $59,881 | $51,220 | 750 |
| Athletic Trainer | $63,750 | 17 | $59,572 | $62,520 | 240 |
| Welder | $63,020 | 5 | $58,890 | $53,750 | 7,720 |
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist | $62,270 | 4 | $58,189 | $51,140 | 5,010 |
| Barber | $61,150 | 4 | $57,143 | $38,210 | 1,220 |
| Insurance Agent | $61,040 | 31 | $57,040 | $62,280 | 10,500 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $60,000 | 30 | $56,068 | $66,940 | — |
| Mail Carrier | $59,990 | 20 | $56,059 | $60,550 | 6,550 |
| Vet Tech | $59,740 | 3 | $55,825 | $47,380 | 2,290 |
| Mortician | $59,700 | 18 | $55,788 | $55,010 | 400 |
| Cosmetologist | $59,510 | 1 | $55,610 | $35,790 | 6,930 |
| Medical Assistant | $59,290 | 1 | $55,404 | $45,690 | 19,500 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $58,900 | 1 | $55,040 | $45,750 | 8,150 |
| Sterile Processing Technician | $58,830 | 2 | $54,975 | $47,700 | 1,670 |
| Dental Assistant | $58,090 | 6 | $54,283 | $48,070 | 13,050 |
| Construction Worker | $57,720 | 9 | $53,937 | $47,120 | 25,060 |
| Auto Mechanic | $57,270 | 15 | $53,517 | $50,620 | 12,930 |
| Bartender | $55,830 | 3 | $52,171 | $34,340 | 16,800 |
| Substitute Teacher | $55,740 | 5 | $52,087 | $41,670 | 14,820 |
| EMT | $52,690 | 4 | $49,237 | $44,470 | 2,940 |
| Personal Trainer | $50,830 | 8 | $47,499 | $47,160 | 9,270 |
| Nail Technician | $49,900 | 3 | $46,630 | $35,760 | 5,570 |
| CNA | $49,180 | 2 | $45,957 | $42,260 | 30,270 |
| Phlebotomist | $48,880 | 6 | $45,677 | $45,230 | 2,820 |
BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates; adjusted with BEA regional price parities (2024). Rank among states: 1 = highest median of the states with published data.