Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
65 Highest Paying Jobs in Washington (2026)
The highest-paying job in Washington is Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a state-aggregated median salary of $343,140 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data weighted across the state's 2 BLS-tracked metros. Across all 65 occupations the average median is $133,861, with 53 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Washington's average cost-of-living index is 123, so the average median equates to $108,830 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
The 65 occupations below are ranked by median wage across Washington — rolling up wage data across all metropolitan areas in the state. State-level rollups smooth over the substantial intra-state wage variation typical of larger states. For state-level wage comparisons, BLS OEWS state files aggregate across MSAs and non-MSA areas. The aggregation hides legitimate within-state differences: a job in Washington's primary metro often pays substantially more (and costs substantially more to live near) than the same job in smaller cities.
Use the per-metro pages for the geographic-specific view. The state-level ranking is most useful for comparing Washington to other states, not for comparing within-state options.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Washington
Ranked by state-aggregated median (50th percentile) salary, employment-weighted across Washington's 2 BLS-tracked metros.
State median $343,140 · 150 jobs · top metro: Seattle ($343,140)
Obstetrician/Gynecologists in Washington earn $343,140 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Seattle) pays $343,140 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $306,190 · 840 jobs · top metro: Seattle ($306,190)
Family Medicine Physicians in Washington earn $306,190 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Seattle) pays $306,190 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $212,976 · 13,730 jobs · top metro: Seattle ($214,680)
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Washington earn $212,976 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Seattle) pays $214,680 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $211,270 · 1,620 jobs · top metro: Seattle ($211,270)
Software Quality Assurance Analysts in Washington earn $211,270 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Seattle) pays $211,270 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $183,492 · 9,230 jobs · top metro: Seattle ($185,550)
Financial Managers in Washington earn $183,492 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Seattle) pays $185,550 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $182,169 · 7,150 jobs · top metro: Seattle ($184,320)
Sales Managers in Washington earn $182,169 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Seattle) pays $184,320 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $174,330 · 7,080 jobs · top metro: Seattle ($175,850)
Marketing Managers in Washington earn $174,330 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Seattle) pays $175,850 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $171,322 · 3,830 jobs · top metro: Seattle ($172,650)
Computer Network Architects in Washington earn $171,322 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Seattle) pays $172,650 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $169,598 · 3,450 jobs · top metro: Seattle ($171,360)
Human Resources Managers in Washington earn $169,598 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Seattle) pays $171,360 median, materially above the state aggregate.
State median $166,936 · 2,200 jobs · top metro: Spokane ($205,790)
Dentists in Washington earn $166,936 median state-wide. Pay varies meaningfully across the state's metros — the top-paying metro (Spokane) pays $205,790 median, materially above the state aggregate.
Full Ranking: All 65 Tracked Occupations
| Rank | Role | Category | State Median | Top Metro | Top Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obstetrician/Gynecologist | Healthcare | $343,140 | Seattle | $343,140 | 150 |
| 2 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $306,190 | Seattle | $306,190 | 840 |
| 3 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $212,976 | Seattle | $214,680 | 13,730 |
| 4 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $211,270 | Seattle | $211,270 | 1,620 |
| 5 | Financial Manager | Finance | $183,492 | Seattle | $185,550 | 9,230 |
| 6 | Sales Manager | Management | $182,169 | Seattle | $184,320 | 7,150 |
| 7 | Marketing Manager | Management | $174,330 | Seattle | $175,850 | 7,080 |
| 8 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $171,322 | Seattle | $172,650 | 3,830 |
| 9 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $169,598 | Seattle | $171,360 | 3,450 |
| 10 | Dentist | Healthcare | $166,936 | Spokane | $205,790 | 2,200 |
| 11 | Software Developer | Technology | $166,568 | Seattle | $167,280 | 94,610 |
| 12 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $165,350 | Seattle | $165,350 | 320 |
| 13 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $164,249 | Seattle | $167,290 | 2,270 |
| 14 | Data Scientist | Technology | $163,849 | Seattle | $164,740 | 8,530 |
| 15 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $162,606 | Seattle | $167,810 | 480 |
| 16 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $162,522 | Seattle | $163,810 | 1,490 |
| 17 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $161,862 | Seattle | $162,870 | 5,150 |
| 18 | Lawyer | Legal | $161,809 | Seattle | $164,980 | 9,980 |
| 19 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $160,396 | Seattle | $161,780 | 4,820 |
| 20 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $156,449 | Seattle | $160,100 | 5,160 |
| 21 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $143,349 | Seattle | $146,030 | 32,660 |
| 22 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $141,990 | Seattle | $160,090 | 530 |
| 23 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $139,106 | Seattle | $140,210 | 5,250 |
| 24 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $136,497 | Seattle | $137,430 | 2,340 |
| 25 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $133,952 | Seattle | $136,120 | 11,270 |
| 26 | Web Developer | Technology | $133,097 | Seattle | $133,760 | 10,500 |
| 27 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $132,935 | Seattle | $133,690 | 19,550 |
| 28 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $131,609 | Seattle | $133,740 | 4,000 |
| 29 | Database Architect | Technology | $130,974 | Seattle | $133,180 | 1,080 |
| 30 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $129,987 | Seattle | $131,210 | 4,810 |
| 31 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $128,989 | Seattle | $129,690 | 6,790 |
| 32 | Web Designer | Technology | $128,860 | Seattle | $130,440 | 3,620 |
| 33 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $125,841 | Seattle | $128,260 | 46,750 |
| 34 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $125,240 | Spokane | $125,240 | 0 |
| 35 | Management Analyst | Management | $125,073 | Seattle | $126,340 | 17,690 |
| 36 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $124,052 | Seattle | $126,590 | 4,950 |
| 37 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $124,021 | Seattle | $128,350 | 200 |
| 38 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $122,940 | Seattle | $124,790 | 6,440 |
| 39 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $122,230 | Seattle | $122,230 | 210 |
| 40 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $115,323 | Seattle | $116,480 | 8,280 |
| 41 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $113,634 | Seattle | $114,540 | 4,190 |
| 42 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $108,413 | Seattle | $109,860 | 2,340 |
| 43 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $107,361 | Seattle | $108,690 | 2,280 |
| 44 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $106,041 | Seattle | $107,290 | 3,530 |
| 45 | Statistician | Technology | $105,278 | Seattle | $105,650 | 2,610 |
| 46 | Network Architect | Technology | $103,766 | Seattle | $104,440 | 5,940 |
| 47 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $103,724 | Seattle | $104,610 | 2,460 |
| 48 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $102,350 | Seattle | $102,920 | 16,900 |
| 49 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $102,238 | Seattle | $102,670 | 8,900 |
| 50 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $102,023 | Spokane | $102,510 | 750 |
| 51 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $102,006 | Seattle | $102,930 | 2,210 |
| 52 | Architect | Engineering | $100,341 | Seattle | $100,610 | 3,150 |
| 53 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $100,187 | Seattle | $102,170 | 19,230 |
| 54 | Electrician | Trades | $99,215 | Seattle | $101,780 | 11,040 |
| 55 | Accountant | Finance | $98,123 | Seattle | $99,370 | 24,440 |
| 56 | Writer/Author | Creative | $94,937 | Seattle | $98,730 | 580 |
| 57 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $94,408 | Seattle | $96,000 | 4,300 |
| 58 | Plumber | Trades | $92,693 | Seattle | $95,230 | 7,160 |
| 59 | Paralegal | Legal | $89,959 | Seattle | $92,900 | 6,920 |
| 60 | Loan Officer | Finance | $82,554 | Seattle | $83,720 | 3,790 |
| 61 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $75,198 | Seattle | $78,170 | 5,430 |
| 62 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $74,891 | Seattle | $76,720 | 2,980 |
| 63 | Carpenter | Trades | $74,685 | Seattle | $76,410 | 16,990 |
| 64 | Welder | Trades | $65,115 | Seattle | $66,240 | 3,860 |
| 65 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $58,675 | Seattle | $59,290 | 7,960 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Washington
Washington is dominated by Seattle's tech and aerospace sectors — Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, and a deep cloud-computing employer base anchor the upper percentiles for technology and engineering occupations. No state income tax adds to effective pay.
$Washington tracks $2 BLS-published metros covering approximately $538,950 workers across the $65 occupations on this page. State-aggregated medians are employment-weighted across metros, which is the right way to read "state pay" when BLS publishes by metro. The Obstetrician/Gynecologist top spot reflects Seattle pulling the upper end of the distribution; smaller metros in Washington typically pay 10–25% less for the same role.
Metro-by-Metro Detail
For salary data specific to one metro within Washington, see:
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Washington is Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a state median salary of $343,140. The top-paying metro for this role is Seattle at $343,140 median. The role employs roughly 150 workers across Washington.
53 of the 65 BLS-tracked occupations in Washington have a state-aggregated median salary of $100,000 or higher. That places this state in the upper tier nationally for high-paying occupations.
Across 65 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Washington is $133,861. The figure is employment-weighted across 2 metros, so larger occupations and larger metros contribute proportionally more. Cost-of-living-adjusted to a national-average baseline, it equates to $108,830.
BLS OEWS publishes wage data by Metropolitan Statistical Area. For Washington, this page aggregates Seattle, Spokane. Some non-MSA areas (small towns, rural counties) are excluded from OEWS metro tables but covered in BLS state-level summaries; we use metro-level data to preserve the percentile granularity.
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. State aggregates are computed by employment-weighting metro-level percentile wages across the BLS-tracked metros in Washington.
State aggregates are employment-weighted across the BLS-tracked metros in Washington, using OEWS 2025 data.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.