Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
60 Highest Paying Jobs in Spokane, WA (2026)
The highest-paying job in Spokane, WA, Washington is Dentist with a median salary of $205,790 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data. Across all 60 tracked occupations the average median is $105,479, with 28 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Spokane, WA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (national average = 100), so a $105,479 nominal salary equals $108,295 in average-cost-metro buying power.
The 60 occupations below are ranked by median wage in Spokane, WA, WA, from BLS OEWS data. Spokane, WA's cost-of-living index runs 97.4 (national baseline = 100), which shapes the headline-wage interpretation. Top-paying occupations in any U.S. metro typically cluster around physicians, dentists, executives, tech specialists, and licensed professionals. The specific top of the list varies with local industry concentration: tech-heavy metros boost software-engineering ranks, finance-heavy metros boost banking ranks.
Each role on the ranking links to the per-role-and-city page with full percentile distribution (p10 to p90), employment count, and cost-adjusted wage. For workers comparing offers within Spokane, WA, the percentile data is the most decision-relevant.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Spokane, WA
Ranked by median (50th percentile) salary. The COL-Adjusted column rebases each nominal salary to Spokane, WA's cost-of-living index of 97.4 so you can compare buying power against an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $205,790 · 10th–90th $122,550–$381,570 · 280 jobs in metro
Dentists in Spokane, WA earn $205,790 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $381,570.
Median $172,900 · 10th–90th $115,720–$281,810 · 560 jobs in metro
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Spokane, WA earn $172,900 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $281,810.
Median $159,530 · 10th–90th $102,580–$294,350 · 730 jobs in metro
Financial Managers in Spokane, WA earn $159,530 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $294,350.
Median $155,560 · 10th–90th $115,850–$177,410 · 710 jobs in metro
Pharmacists in Spokane, WA earn $155,560 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $177,410.
Median $155,300 · 10th–90th $98,760–$246,740 · 530 jobs in metro
Sales Managers in Spokane, WA earn $155,300 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $246,740.
Median $151,820 · 10th–90th $91,580–$211,450 · 160 jobs in metro
Veterinarians in Spokane, WA earn $151,820 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $211,450.
Median $147,570 · 10th–90th $114,400–$195,700 · 350 jobs in metro
Physician Assistants in Spokane, WA earn $147,570 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $195,700.
Median $147,050 · 10th–90th $105,470–$218,510 · 250 jobs in metro
Human Resources Managers in Spokane, WA earn $147,050 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $218,510.
Median $145,960 · 10th–90th $79,900–$244,010 · 360 jobs in metro
Marketing Managers in Spokane, WA earn $145,960 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $244,010.
Median $141,990 · 10th–90th $109,040–$183,040 · 530 jobs in metro
Nurse Practitioners in Spokane, WA earn $141,990 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $183,040.
Full Ranking (60 Occupations)
| Rank | Role | Category | Median | 10th–90th | COL-Adjusted | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dentist | Healthcare | $205,790 | $122,550–$381,570 | $211,283 | 280 |
| 2 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $172,900 | $115,720–$281,810 | $177,515 | 560 |
| 3 | Financial Manager | Finance | $159,530 | $102,580–$294,350 | $163,789 | 730 |
| 4 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $155,560 | $115,850–$177,410 | $159,713 | 710 |
| 5 | Sales Manager | Management | $155,300 | $98,760–$246,740 | $159,446 | 530 |
| 6 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $151,820 | $91,580–$211,450 | $155,873 | 160 |
| 7 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $147,570 | $114,400–$195,700 | $151,509 | 350 |
| 8 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $147,050 | $105,470–$218,510 | $150,975 | 250 |
| 9 | Marketing Manager | Management | $145,960 | $79,900–$244,010 | $149,856 | 360 |
| 10 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $141,990 | $109,040–$183,040 | $145,780 | 530 |
| 11 | Software Developer | Technology | $130,690 | $80,670–$201,620 | $134,179 | 1,840 |
| 12 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $130,260 | $95,950–$186,160 | $133,737 | 120 |
| 13 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $126,460 | $74,970–$192,650 | $129,836 | 560 |
| 14 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $126,180 | $88,180–$162,180 | $129,548 | 60 |
| 15 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $125,240 | $75,470–$125,240 | $128,583 | 0 |
| 16 | Lawyer | Legal | $123,880 | $77,870–$208,230 | $127,187 | 770 |
| 17 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $122,100 | $79,950–$160,430 | $125,359 | 320 |
| 18 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $119,420 | $73,000–$234,040 | $122,608 | 3,290 |
| 19 | Data Scientist | Technology | $117,250 | $68,770–$175,160 | $120,380 | 160 |
| 20 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $116,690 | $104,690–$123,790 | $119,805 | 500 |
| 21 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $111,750 | $82,560–$148,130 | $114,733 | 6,850 |
| 22 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $110,140 | $74,190–$146,040 | $113,080 | 80 |
| 23 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $106,190 | $73,130–$181,870 | $109,025 | 120 |
| 24 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $104,460 | $74,990–$152,120 | $107,248 | 220 |
| 25 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $104,180 | $74,280–$147,160 | $106,961 | 500 |
| 26 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $102,510 | $55,420–$132,980 | $105,246 | 120 |
| 27 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $100,510 | $75,960–$138,710 | $103,193 | 600 |
| 28 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $100,500 | $72,850–$122,060 | $103,183 | 370 |
| 29 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $99,690 | $80,120–$127,050 | $102,351 | 580 |
| 30 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $99,490 | $91,110–$119,760 | $102,146 | 30 |
| 31 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $99,410 | $61,030–$108,730 | $102,064 | 1,180 |
| 32 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $99,350 | $59,770–$289,330 | $102,002 | 250 |
| 33 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $99,280 | $81,480–$124,800 | $101,930 | 320 |
| 34 | Database Architect | Technology | $99,140 | $61,730–$149,780 | $101,786 | 70 |
| 35 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $98,800 | $61,170–$108,480 | $101,437 | 2,340 |
| 36 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $98,670 | $74,790–$148,920 | $101,304 | 450 |
| 37 | Management Analyst | Management | $96,840 | $64,580–$154,540 | $99,425 | 760 |
| 38 | Architect | Engineering | $95,910 | $62,140–$125,000 | $98,470 | 180 |
| 39 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $95,680 | $62,400–$141,590 | $98,234 | 140 |
| 40 | Network Architect | Technology | $94,670 | $63,540–$125,070 | $97,197 | 410 |
| 41 | Web Developer | Technology | $92,790 | $58,560–$150,410 | $95,267 | 170 |
| 42 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $92,490 | $62,050–$149,790 | $94,959 | 560 |
| 43 | Web Designer | Technology | $92,310 | $58,410–$156,610 | $94,774 | 150 |
| 44 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $89,050 | $62,360–$138,340 | $91,427 | 140 |
| 45 | Accountant | Finance | $86,350 | $61,760–$134,650 | $88,655 | 2,340 |
| 46 | Statistician | Technology | $86,230 | $64,210–$128,670 | $88,532 | 50 |
| 47 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $82,500 | $60,770–$122,320 | $84,702 | 100 |
| 48 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $80,660 | $59,830–$140,710 | $82,813 | 270 |
| 49 | Electrician | Trades | $79,830 | $47,310–$122,610 | $81,961 | 1,290 |
| 50 | Loan Officer | Finance | $77,220 | $42,000–$149,760 | $79,281 | 680 |
| 51 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $74,610 | $52,510–$121,750 | $76,602 | 320 |
| 52 | Plumber | Trades | $72,800 | $47,830–$105,980 | $74,743 | 810 |
| 53 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $70,390 | $45,180–$135,130 | $72,269 | 1,200 |
| 54 | Writer/Author | Creative | $62,060 | $44,500–$86,900 | $63,717 | 60 |
| 55 | Carpenter | Trades | $61,900 | $48,750–$87,730 | $63,552 | 2,020 |
| 56 | Paralegal | Legal | $59,540 | $49,280–$80,450 | $61,129 | 610 |
| 57 | Welder | Trades | $59,350 | $45,090–$74,450 | $60,934 | 630 |
| 58 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $58,490 | $39,340–$97,770 | $60,051 | 820 |
| 59 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $56,530 | $44,070–$89,900 | $58,039 | 270 |
| 60 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $54,840 | $37,880–$85,080 | $56,304 | 1,100 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Spokane, WA
Spokane, WA's pay distribution reflects its mix of regional employers and industries, plus the local cost of living that affects nominal salary levels in the BLS data.
An average median salary above $90K places this metro in the top tier of U.S. cities for nominal pay. Most of that premium accrues to the upper percentiles of skilled and managerial occupations; entry-level and service-sector pay is closer to national norms.
Spokane, WA's cost-of-living index of 97.4 runs 3% below the U.S. national average. Lower nominal pay here often translates to comparable or better purchasing power than higher headline numbers in coastal hubs — see the COL-Adjusted column for the apples-to-apples figure.
How to Use This Ranking
For salary negotiation, the median is a starting anchor — not the ceiling. A Dentist with five-plus years of experience in Spokane, WA should be benchmarking against the 75th percentile ($293,680) or 90th percentile ($381,570), not the $205,790 median. Use the salary percentile calculator to place any specific salary into the BLS distribution for any role-and-city pair.
For cross-city comparisons, ignore the nominal Median column and look at COL-Adjusted. A $206K Dentist salary in Spokane, WA (COL 97.4) translates to $211K of buying power in an average-cost metro — that is the apples-to-apples figure when weighing a relocation. Read the methodology behind these adjustments in our methodology page.
For job hunting, focus on the top-10 ranking above and on the role-by-role detail pages — each links through to a Dentist in Spokane, WA page with full percentile breakdowns, year-over-year change, and prevailing-wage references for H-1B / PERM applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Spokane, WA is Dentist with a median salary of $205,790 and a 90th-percentile reading of $381,570. The role employs roughly 280 workers in this metro according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2025 OEWS data.
28 of the 60 BLS-tracked occupations in Spokane, WA have a median salary of $100,000 or higher. That is well above what most U.S. metros offer. See the full list ranked by median salary above.
Across 60 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Spokane, WA is $105,479. The cost-of-living index is 97.4, so adjusted to a national-average baseline, the average is $108,295 in equivalent purchasing power.
Spokane, WA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4, below the national average. Nominal pay translates better than face value, making it a strong choice for many careers — particularly the Dentist, Computer and Information Systems Manager, Financial Manager occupations at the top of the ranking.
Every wage figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers across all industries. The OEWS publishes 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile wages by Metropolitan Statistical Area and Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. The same data is used by the Department of Labor for prevailing wage determinations.
Related Pages
Rankings based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025 reference period. COL adjustments use a composite cost-of-living index calibrated to U.S. average = 100.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.