Washington and U.S. average wages
Average wages
Inflation-adjusted to 2022 dollars
| Year | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Year 2022 | Washington $83,665 | U.S. $70,282 |
| Year 2021 | Washington $86,772 | U.S. $72,252 |
| Year 2020 | Washington $84,064 | U.S. $71,172 |
| Year 2019 | Washington $77,191 | U.S. $66,698 |
| Year 2018 | Washington $74,733 | U.S. $65,477 |
| Year 2017 | Washington $71,850 | U.S. $64,681 |
| Year 2016 | Washington $69,654 | U.S. $63,670 |
| Year 2015 | Washington $68,015 | U.S. $63,427 |
| Year 2014 | Washington $66,128 | U.S. $61,653 |
| Year 2013 | Washington $64,631 | U.S. $60,648 |
| Year 2012 | Washington $64,362 | U.S. $60,824 |
| Year 2011 | Washington $63,895 | U.S. $60,419 |
| Year 2010 | Washington $63,239 | U.S. $60,255 |
| Year 2009 | Washington $63,907 | U.S. $59,785 |
| Year 2008 | Washington $61,521 | U.S. $59,609 |
| Year 2007 | Washington $61,931 | U.S. $59,828 |
| Year 2006 | Washington $60,310 | U.S. $58,705 |
| Year 2005 | Washington $58,993 | U.S. $57,683 |
| Year 2004 | Washington $58,877 | U.S. $57,307 |
| Year 2003 | Washington $58,573 | U.S. $56,249 |
| Year 2002 | Washington $58,594 | U.S. $55,715 |
- Washington started the decade of the 1980s in much better economic condition than the U.S. overall.
- During the 1980s, high-paying jobs were lost as some production was shifted abroad. High real interest rates in the U.S. further depressed the demand for durable goods. Washington average wages were lower than the U.S. average wages during the years 1987-1990.
- Real average wages started rising again in 1989 as the state benefited from growth in aerospace employment and foreign trade while the U.S. economy was in recession.
- The fast growth in average wages during the mid- to late 1990s proved to be unsustainable as high-wage, but non-performing Dot-Com firms fell by the wayside.
- The post 9/11 recession suppressed average wages in the early part of the decade, and significant growth did not resume until 2006.
- The Great recession resulted in a decline in average wages in 2008 for both Washington and the U.S.
- Washington state ranked 5th among the states and District of Columbia in average wages in 2022.
Data source:
- Personal income and inflation adjustment: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
E-mail: OFM.Forecasting@ofm.wa.gov
Last updated
Friday, May 17, 2024
