Average Wages, 1980

Inflation-Adjusted to 2021 Dollars

• In 1980, the average wage for Washington state was $42,355 (inflation adjusted to 2021 dollars).
• Garfield and San Juan counties had the lowest average wages at $26,254 and $27,068, respectively.
• Skamania County had the highest average wage at $68,826 because of the high construction wages at the North Bonneville Dam project.
• Seven counties had average wages higher than the state average.

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Average Wages, 1990

Inflation-Adjusted to 2021 Dollars

• In 1990, the average wage for Washington state was $41,846 (inflation adjusted to 2021 dollars).
• Columbia and Douglas counties had the lowest average wages at $25,885 and $26,157, respectively.
• King County had the highest average wage at $47,987.
• Four counties had average wages higher than the state average.

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Average Wages, 2000

Inflation-Adjusted to 2021 Dollars

• In 2000, the average wage for Washington state was $55,588 (inflation adjusted to 2021 dollars).
• Okanogan and Pacific counties had the lowest average wages at $31,635 and $32,727 respectively.
• King County had the highest average wage at $70,452 and was the only county with average wage higher than the state average.

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Average Wages, 2010

Inflation-Adjusted to 2021 Dollars

• In 2010, the average wage for Washington state was $59,566 (inflation adjusted to 2021 dollars).
• Okanogan and Asotin counties had the lowest average wagesat $33,014 and $35,692, respectively.
• King County had the highest average wage at $73,903.
• King County and Benton County ($60,890) were the only counties with average wages higher than the state average.

Average Wages, 2021

Inflation-Adjusted to 2021 Dollars

• In 2021 the average wage for Washington state was $81,245.
• Okanogan and Wahkiakum counties had the lowest average wages at $41,443 and $42,697 respectively.
• King County had the highest average wage at $113,503. No other county had an average wage at or above the state average.

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Change in Average Wage, 2010-2021

Inflation-Adjusted to 2021 Dollars

• Overall, between 2010 and 2021, the real average wage for Washington state increased by 36.4%. At the county level, the change ranged from 3.9% in Benton County to 53.6% in King County.

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Data sources:

• U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
• Washington State Revenue Forecast Council - Implicit Price Deflator

E-mail: OFM.Forecasting@ofm.wa.gov