In 2023, the median household income in Washington amounted to 93,440 U.S. dollars. This is an increase from the previous year, when the median household income in the state amounted to 89,430 U.S. dollars. The median household income for the United States may be accessed here.

Graph and download economic data for Estimate of Median Household Income for Washington (MHIWA53000A052NCEN) from 1989 to 2023 about WA, households, median, income, and USA.

Washington State Median Income by County

Household data are collected as of March.

As stated in the Census's "Source and Accuracy of Estimates for Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2011" (http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/p60_243sa.pdf):

Estimation of Median Incomes. The Census Bureau has changed the methodology for computing median income over time. The Census Bureau has computed medians using either Pareto interpolation or linear interpolation. Currently, we are using linear interpolation to estimate all medians. Pareto interpolation assumes a decreasing density of population within an income interval, whereas linear interpolation assumes a constant density of population within an income interval. The Census Bureau calculated estimates of median income and associated standard errors for 1979 through 1987 using Pareto interpolation if the estimate was larger than $20,000 for people or $40,000 for families and households. This is because the width of the income interval containing the estimate is greater than $2,500.

We calculated estimates of median income and associated standard errors for 1976, 1977, and 1978 using Pareto interpolation if the estimate was larger than $12,000 for people or $18,000 for families and households. This is because the width of the income interval containing the estimate is greater than $1,000. All other estimates of median income and associated standard errors for 1976 through 2011 (2012 ASEC) and almost all of the estimates of median income and associated standard errors for 1975 and earlier were calculated using linear interpolation.

Thus, use caution when comparing median incomes above $12,000 for people or $18,000 for families and households for different years. Median incomes below those levels are more comparable from year to year since they have always been calculated using linear interpolation. For an indication of the comparability of medians calculated using Pareto interpolation with medians calculated using linear interpolation, see Series P-60, Number 114, Money Income in 1976 of Families and Persons in the United States (www2.census.gov/prod2/popscan/p60-114.pdf).

Median Household Income in Washington was 93440.00000 Current $ in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Median Household Income in Washington reached a record high of 93440.00000 in January of 2023 and a record low of 24000.00000 in January of 1985. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Median Household Income in Washington - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Estimate of Median Household Income for Grays Harbor County, WA (MHIWA53027A052NCEN) from 1989 to 2023 about Grays Harbor County, WA; WA; households; median; income; and USA.

In March 2025, inflation amounted to 2.4 percent, while wages grew by 4.3 percent. The inflation rate has not exceeded the rate of wage growth since January 2023. Inflation in 2022 The high rates of inflation in 2022 meant that the real terms value of American wages took a hit. Many Americans report feelings of concern over the economy and a worsening of their financial situation. The inflation situation in the United States is one that was experienced globally in 2022, mainly due to COVID-19 related supply chain constraints and disruption due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The monthly inflation rate for the U.S. reached a 40-year high in June 2022 at 9.1 percent, and annual inflation for 2022 reached eight percent. Without appropriate wage increases, Americans will continue to see a decline in their purchasing power. Wages in the U.S. Despite the level of wage growth reaching 6.7 percent in the summer of 2022, it has not been enough to curb the impact of even higher inflation rates. The federally mandated minimum wage in the United States has not increased since 2009, meaning that individuals working minimum wage jobs have taken a real terms pay cut for the last twelve years. There are discrepancies between states - the minimum wage in California can be as high as 15.50 U.S. dollars per hour, while a business in Oklahoma may be as low as two U.S. dollars per hour. However, even the higher wage rates in states like California and Washington may be lacking - one analysis found that if minimum wage had kept up with productivity, the minimum hourly wage in the U.S. should have been 22.88 dollars per hour in 2021. Additionally, the impact of decreased purchasing power due to inflation will impact different parts of society in different ways with stark contrast in average wages due to both gender and race.

The Average Salary chart presents a clear visualization of the salary progression for graduates from Washington State University from 2020 to 2023, illustrating the yearly average salary trends. Additionally, the chart compares these figures with the overall average salary trends of graduates from all schools, providing a comprehensive view of how Washington State University’s graduates stand in terms of earning potential relative to their peers nationwide. This data is crucial for prospective students assessing the ROI of their education at Washington State University.

Graph and download economic data for Estimate of Median Household Income for King County, WA (MHIWA53033A052NCEN) from 1989 to 2023 about King County, WA; Seattle; WA; households; median; income; and USA.

This graph shows average wages around the world in 2012 as calculated by purchasing power parity. In 2012 the highest average wage was earned in Luxembourg at 4,089 purchasing power parity dollars. Wages and salaries Wages and salaries in the United States have increased during the last decades. The median weekly earnings of a full-time wage and salary worker were about 241 U.S. dollars in 1979 and shifted up to 768 U.S. dollars in 2012.

The median earnings of U.S. full-time wage and salary workers vary across their educational attainment. The highest paid workers are those who hold a bachelor’s degree, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The U.S. federal government specified minimum wage laws for workers in the United States, which say that workers must be paid no less than the current federal minimum wage. The minimum wage was set at 7.25 U.S. dollars per hour by federal law. The actual minimum wage varies from state to state, as some states have additional minimum wage laws.

For instance, the minimum wage in Washington was around 9.04 U.S. dollars per hour, while the worst minimum wage can be found in Georgia, where workers earn at least 5.15 U.S. dollars per hour. No minimum wages can be found in Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, South Carolina and Mississippi, as of January 1, 2012.

The number of workers paid hourly rates with earnings at or below the minimum wage in the U.S. was at its highest in the industry type of leisure and hospitality in 2013.

Recent statistics show that the share of female workers paid hourly rates at or below prevailing federal minimum wage in the United States decreased since 1979. In that year, 20.2 percent of the female wage and salary workers were paid below the federal minimum wage, while only 2.9 percent of the female workers were paid below the federal minimum wage in 2006.

Income in 2023 C-CPI-U (2000-2023) and R-CPI-U-RS (pre-2000) adjusted dollars.

Graph and download economic data for Average Weekly Wages for Employees in State Government Establishments in Spokane, WA (MSA) (ENUC440640210SA) from Q1 1990 to Q4 2024 about Spokane, state govt, establishments, WA, average, wages, government, employment, and USA.

Average Weekly Wages for Employees in State Government Establishments in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (MSA) was 1761.00000 $ per Week in October of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Average Weekly Wages for Employees in State Government Establishments in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (MSA) reached a record high of 1761.00000 in October of 2024 and a record low of 832.00000 in January of 2005. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Average Weekly Wages for Employees in State Government Establishments in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (MSA) - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Average Weekly Wages for Employees in Private Establishments in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA (MSA) (ENUC426640510SA) from Q1 1990 to Q4 2024 about Seattle, establishments, WA, average, wages, private, employment, and USA.

In 2023, public housing residents in Alaska, Arkansas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands had the highest household incomes compared to their respective local median incomes in the United States. In these areas, the average public housing household incomes constituted at least ** percent of the local median income. In contrast, states like Maryland, Ohio, Washington, Guam, and the District of Columbia exhibited the lowest proportions, where households housed in social housing earned less than ** percent of the local median income.

Average Weekly Wages for Employees in State Government Establishments in Yakima, WA (MSA) was 1428.00000 $ per Week in July of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Average Weekly Wages for Employees in State Government Establishments in Yakima, WA (MSA) reached a record high of 1481.00000 in April of 2024 and a record low of 459.00000 in April of 1990. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Average Weekly Wages for Employees in State Government Establishments in Yakima, WA (MSA) - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Estimated Mean Real Household Wages Adjusted by Cost of Living for King County, WA (MWACL53033) from 2009 to 2023 about King County, WA; Seattle; adjusted; WA; average; wages; real; and USA.

Kennewick-Richland, WA - Average Weekly Wages for Employees in State Government Establishments in Kennewick-Pasco-Richland, WA (MSA) was 1460.49031 $ per Week in October of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Kennewick-Richland, WA - Average Weekly Wages for Employees in State Government Establishments in Kennewick-Pasco-Richland, WA (MSA) reached a record high of 1460.49031 in October of 2024 and a record low of 428.82592 in July of 1990. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Kennewick-Richland, WA - Average Weekly Wages for Employees in State Government Establishments in Kennewick-Pasco-Richland, WA (MSA) - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.

Average Weekly Wages for Employees in State Government Establishments in Walla Walla, WA (MSA) was 1663.34181 $ per Week in October of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Average Weekly Wages for Employees in State Government Establishments in Walla Walla, WA (MSA) reached a record high of 1663.34181 in October of 2024 and a record low of 884.17152 in April of 2013. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Average Weekly Wages for Employees in State Government Establishments in Walla Walla, WA (MSA) - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

Average Weekly Wages for Employees in State Government Establishments in Lewiston, ID-WA (MSA) was 1033.70446 $ per Week in October of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Average Weekly Wages for Employees in State Government Establishments in Lewiston, ID-WA (MSA) reached a record high of 1110.48259 in January of 2023 and a record low of 343.77917 in October of 1990. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Average Weekly Wages for Employees in State Government Establishments in Lewiston, ID-WA (MSA) - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.