Economy, jobs and prices in Washington, United States: official figures
The economy of Washington (gross domestic product) was worth $892.3 billion in 2025 at current prices, 2.9% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 10th largest of 51. In current dollars it was up 5.4% on 2024.
How fast is the economy of Washington growing?
After adjusting for inflation, real GDP in Washington grew 3.2% in 2025, against 2.3% for the United States; 5th fastest-growing of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the GDP per capita of Washington?
Dividing 2025 GDP by the Census Bureau's population estimate gives $111,518 of output per resident, against $90,294 for the US economy divided by the population of the 50 states and DC; 5th highest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyIs the economy of Washington growing or shrinking?
In the second quarter of 2026, real GDP in Washington grew at an annual rate of 0.6% (United States: 2.2%); 11th slowest-growing of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Washington?
In 2025 the largest private industry in Washington's economy was information (17.9% of GDP), followed by real estate, rental and leasing (12.9%) and retail trade (9.4%). Government accounted for 11.1% and manufacturing for 7.0%; the manufacturing share was 14th lowest of 51 (United States: 9.5%).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyHow much do people in Washington spend?
Consumer spending (personal consumption expenditures) in Washington came to $65,667 per person in 2025 (United States: $61,062); 12th highest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyIs Washington expensive to live in?
Prices in Washington were 7.0% above the national average in 2024, by BEA's regional price parity of 107.0 (US = 100), which covers goods, services and housing; 6th most expensive of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the inflation rate in Washington?
Prices in Washington rose 1.3% in 2024, measured by BEA's implicit regional price deflator, against 2.6% nationally (PCE price index).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the per capita income in Washington?
Personal income per person in Washington was $88,944 in 2025, against $77,028 for the United States; 8th highest of 51. It was up 4.4% on 2024 and up 31.4% on 2020, before inflation.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the disposable income per person in Washington?
After taxes, disposable personal income per person was $78,377 in 2025 (United States: $67,251); 5th highest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyHow far does income go in Washington?
Adjusted for local price levels, real personal income per person in Washington was $64,421 in 2024 in 2017 dollars (United States: $59,195); 10th highest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the median household income in Washington?
Median household income in Washington was $99,389 in 2024 (margin of error ±$1,322), against $81,604 for the United States; 8th highest of 51 by the point estimate. It was up 2.1% on 2023 after adjusting for inflation (American Community Survey).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow unequal are incomes in Washington?
The Gini index of household income inequality in Washington was 0.473 in 2024 (0 means equal incomes, 1 means one household has everything; United States: 0.481); tied for 15th most unequal of 51.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Washington?
The unemployment rate in Washington was 4.8% in September 2026 (seasonally adjusted, preliminary), up from 4.7% a year earlier; 7th highest of 51. The rate for the 50 states and DC combined was 4.2%.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyHow many people are unemployed in Washington?
In September 2026, 193,018 people in Washington were unemployed and 3,852,412 employed, out of a labor force of 4,045,430.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat was the unemployment rate in Washington in 2025?
Over 2025 the unemployment rate in Washington averaged 4.7% (an 11-month average: October 2025 was not collected during the federal shutdown), against 4.5% in 2024; tied for 8th highest of 51. The lowest annual rate since 1976 was 4.1% in 2022.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Washington?
Workers covered by unemployment insurance in Washington were paid $99,675 on average in 2025 ($1,917 a week), up 4.9% on 2024; the US average was $78,720. That is 4th highest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyHow many jobs are there in Washington?
Employers in Washington had an average of 3,601,662 jobs on their payrolls in 2025 across 242,344 establishments, up 0.2% on 2024 (United States: up 0.5%).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median wage in Washington?
The median annual wage across all occupations in Washington was $62,990 in May 2025 (mean $83,330); 3rd highest of 51. One in ten workers earned less than $38,670 and one in ten more than $153,630.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the most common job in Washington?
The most common occupation in Washington in May 2025 was software developers, with 107,030 workers and a median annual wage of $166,540.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median household income in Washington?
Median household income in Washington was $99,309 in 2024, 8th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $81,604). In 2019 it was $78,674, so it has risen 26.2% before allowing for inflation.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the average rent in Washington?
The median gross rent in Washington, including utilities, was $1,824 a month in 2024, up 5.4% on 2023 ($1,731); 5th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $1,487).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the median home value in Washington?
Homeowners in Washington valued their homes at a median of $602,200 in 2024, up 4.5% on 2023 ($576,000); 5th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $360,600).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow affordable are homes in Washington?
The median home value in Washington was 6.1 times the median household income in 2024 ($602,200 against $99,309); 4th highest ratio among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 4.4).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyIs rent affordable in Washington?
A household on the median income in Washington would spend 22.0% of its income on the median rent of $1,824 a month in 2024 (U.S.: 21.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Washington compares with other states
Gross domestic product, 2025 (current dollars) (2025)
Washington ranks 10 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Gross domestic product, 2025 (current dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Ohio | $976.9 billion |
| 8 | Georgia | $936.1 billion |
| 9 | North Carolina | $895.9 billion |
| 10 | Washington | $892.3 billion |
| 11 | New Jersey | $887.8 billion |
| 12 | Massachusetts | $813.6 billion |
| 13 | Virginia | $807.9 billion |
GDP per resident, 2025 (BEA GDP / Census population) (2025)
Washington ranks 5 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | GDP per resident, 2025 (BEA GDP / Census population) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | New York | $123,273 |
| 3 | Delaware | $115,043 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $113,724 |
| 5 | Washington | $111,518 |
| 6 | California | $109,196 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $103,727 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $103,020 |
Real GDP growth, 2025 (2025)
Washington ranks 5 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real GDP growth, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Alaska | 4.7% |
| 3 | California | 3.5% |
| 4 | South Carolina | 3.3% |
| 5 | Washington | 3.2% |
| 6 | Idaho | 3.1% |
| 7 | Kentucky | 3.0% |
| 8 | Georgia | 2.9% |
Real GDP growth, 2026:Q2 (annual rate) (2026:Q2)
Washington ranks 41 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real GDP growth, 2026:Q2 (annual rate) |
|---|---|---|
| 38 | District of Columbia | 0.8% |
| 39 | Kentucky | 0.7% |
| 40 | Hawaii | 0.7% |
| 41 | Washington | 0.6% |
| 42 | New Mexico | 0.4% |
| 43 | Oklahoma | 0.3% |
| 44 | Louisiana | 0.2% |
Personal income per person, 2025 (2025)
Washington ranks 8 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Personal income per person, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Wyoming | $91,109 |
| 6 | California | $90,957 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $89,720 |
| 8 | Washington | $88,944 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $88,145 |
| 10 | Colorado | $86,342 |
| 11 | Maryland | $82,387 |
Real personal income per person, 2024 (adjusted for local prices, 2017 dollars) (2024)
Washington ranks 10 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real personal income per person, 2024 (adjusted for local prices, 2017 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | North Dakota | $65,271 |
| 8 | Colorado | $65,223 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $64,632 |
| 10 | Washington | $64,421 |
| 11 | New York | $64,153 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $63,142 |
| 13 | California | $63,028 |
Median household income, 2024 (ACS) (2024)
Washington ranks 8 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Median household income, 2024 (ACS) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Hawaii | $100,745 |
| 6 | California | $100,149 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $99,782 |
| 8 | Washington | $99,389 |
| 9 | Colorado | $97,113 |
| 10 | Utah | $96,658 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $96,049 |
Regional price parity, 2024 (US = 100) (2024)
Washington ranks 6 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Regional price parity, 2024 (US = 100) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | District of Columbia | 109.9 |
| 4 | New Jersey | 108.8 |
| 5 | New York | 107.9 |
| 6 | Washington | 107.0 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 105.8 |
| 8 | Maryland | 105.0 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 104.2 |
Unemployment rate, September 2026 (seasonally adjusted) (September 2026)
Washington ranks 7 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, September 2026 (seasonally adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Michigan | 5.0% |
| 5 | Oregon | 5.0% |
| 6 | Arizona | 4.9% |
| 7 | Washington | 4.8% |
| 8 | Kentucky | 4.7% |
| 9 | Nevada | 4.7% |
| 10 | New Mexico | 4.7% |
Unemployment rate, 2025 annual average (2025)
Washington ranks 8 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, 2025 annual average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | New Jersey | 5.2% |
| 6 | Oregon | 5.2% |
| 7 | Delaware | 4.8% |
| 8 | Washington | 4.7% |
| 9 | Alaska | 4.7% |
| 10 | Illinois | 4.6% |
| 11 | Ohio | 4.6% |
Labor force participation rate, September 2026 (September 2026)
Washington ranks 26 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Labor force participation rate, September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Nevada | 62.3% |
| 24 | Connecticut | 62.1% |
| 25 | Vermont | 62.1% |
| 26 | Washington | 62.0% |
| 27 | Rhode Island | 62.0% |
| 28 | Oklahoma | 61.9% |
| 29 | California | 61.4% |
Average annual pay, 2025 (QCEW) (2025)
Washington ranks 4 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Average annual pay, 2025 (QCEW) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $128,901 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $100,085 |
| 3 | New York | $99,941 |
| 4 | Washington | $99,675 |
| 5 | California | $96,963 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $90,982 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $86,247 |
Median annual wage, all occupations, May 2025 (OEWS) (May 2025)
Washington ranks 3 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Median annual wage, all occupations, May 2025 (OEWS) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $91,540 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $63,590 |
| 3 | Washington | $62,990 |
| 4 | Alaska | $61,000 |
| 5 | Colorado | $59,800 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $59,690 |
| 7 | New York | $59,670 |
Median household income (2024)
Washington ranks 8 of 51, highest first. Census Bureau SAIPE model estimates
| Rank | Region | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Hawaii | $101,581 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $100,364 |
| 7 | California | $100,130 |
| 8 | Washington | $99,309 |
| 9 | Colorado | $96,871 |
| 10 | Utah | $96,398 |
| 11 | Alaska | $96,336 |
Median gross rent (monthly) (2024)
Washington ranks 5 of 51, highest first. Renter-occupied units paying cash rent
| Rank | Region | Median gross rent (monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Hawaii | $1,942 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $1,931 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $1,848 |
| 5 | Washington | $1,824 |
| 6 | Colorado | $1,822 |
| 7 | Florida | $1,812 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $1,800 |
Median value of owner-occupied homes (2024)
Washington ranks 5 of 51, highest first. Owner-reported value
| Rank | Region | Median value of owner-occupied homes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | California | $759,500 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $733,400 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $607,400 |
| 5 | Washington | $602,200 |
| 6 | Colorado | $574,600 |
| 7 | Utah | $545,200 |
| 8 | Oregon | $497,500 |
More on Washington: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: Household Income in States and Metropolitan Areas: 2024 (ACSBR-025), Appendix Table 1: median household income and Gini index by state, 2023 and 2024 American Community Survey, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5de1b0d5ec46…)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: SASUMMARY: State annual summary statistics: personal income, GDP, consumer spending, price indexes, and employment (updated 30 September 2026), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a3757d207c05…)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: SAGDP: Annual GDP by state, 1997-2025 (table SAGDP2, GDP in current dollars by industry), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 3d3c5bc7bd24…)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: SQGDP: Quarterly GDP by state, 2005-2026 Q2 (table SQGDP11, percent change in real GDP at annual rate), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1649260cdceb…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Local Area Unemployment Statistics: employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population, states, monthly, seasonally adjusted, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7bb6f18d4145…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Local Area Unemployment Statistics: employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population, states, annual averages 1976-2025, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 262aba7d00df…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 state estimates (state_M2025_dl.xlsx), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 74d5be0e1df8…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages, all industries (open data CSV slice), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5a5f89142aae…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table-based summary file: Median gross rent (B25064), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 8624f9775add…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table-based summary file: Median value of owner-occupied homes (B25077), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 27120d5d8a5f…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE): 2024 poverty and median household income, states and counties, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 cb52c47d75c1…)
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