Accountants and Auditors in Washington. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Washington's median annual wage for Accountants and Auditors came in at $96,180 in 2024, about 14% above the US median of $84,407. The state's average wage was $101,380, pulled up by a smaller group of senior and specialized accountants earning well above the midpoint.
The spread across earners is wide. Bottom-decile accountants in Washington earned $64,440, while those at the 90th percentile reached $143,210. That is a gap of roughly $78,800 between the lowest and highest earners, which reflects how much experience, certification, and job type shift pay in this occupation.
Washington's cost of living runs about 9% above the national baseline. After accounting for that, the nominal premium over the US median shrinks from 14% to something closer to 5%. The state still comes out ahead, but the headline gap overstates what the money actually buys for most residents.
BLS projects employment for Accountants and Auditors to grow 4.6% between 2024 and 2034, which puts it in the average category alongside most other business and financial occupations. Washington's 37,400 accountants and auditors represent a large employed base, concentrated in a state with a heavy mix of large tech and trade-oriented employers that generate consistent demand for accounting work.
Salary distribution
Where Washington accountants and auditors fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $79,180 and $122,480, with a median of $96,550.
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Accountants and Auditors pay by experience level in Washington
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Accountants and Auditors in Washington, by industry
Median offered wage across 469 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $102,755.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | 240 | $102,755 |
| Retail and wholesale | Amazon.com Services LLC | 167 | $101,899 |
| Technology and software | F5, Inc. | 14 | $118,958 |
| Finance and insurance | Remitly, Inc. | 13 | $114,000 |
| Healthcare | Adams County Public Hospital District No. 2 | 9 | $75,587 |
| Manufacturing | PACCAR Inc | 7 | $122,346 |
| Nonprofit and civic | El Centro de la Raza | 7 | $73,986 |
| Real estate | Zillow, Inc. | 6 | $101,899 |
| Education | MEIGUOMENG INC | 4 | $87,950 |
| Media and entertainment | Gorin Tennis Academy, Inc. | 1 | $89,523 |
| Transportation and logistics | WA FAN TUAN INC. | 1 | $69,846 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Washington over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.7 / 5
Economics and Accounting
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 3.9 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 3.9 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 3.9 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Mathematical Reasoning
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Prepare detailed reports on audit findings.
- 02
Report to management about asset utilization and audit results, and recommend changes in operations and financial activities.
- 03
Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.
- 04
Supervise auditing of establishments, and determine scope of investigation required.
- 05
Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency, effectiveness, and use of accepted accounting procedures to record transactions.
- 06
Examine and evaluate financial and information systems, recommending controls to ensure system reliability and data integrity.
- 07
Confer with company officials about financial and regulatory matters.
- 08
Inspect cash on hand, notes receivable and payable, negotiable securities, and canceled checks to confirm records are accurate.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.6%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for accountants and auditors in major Washington metropolitan areas.
- Seattle$99,370
Compare Accountants and Auditors pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Washington with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Accountants and Auditors in Washington?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Accountants and Auditors in Washington is $96,550.
- How does Washington compare to the national median for Accountants and Auditors?
- The Washington median is +11.7% versus the BLS national figure of $86,427.
- What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors in Washington?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $66,330 and the 90th-percentile at $152,310, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Accountants and Auditors a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.6% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Accountants and Auditors?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.