Washington’s average wage increases 5.9% in 2023

Washington’s average annual wage grew by 5.9% in 2023 to $89,138, according to the state Employment Security Department.

The average wage grew more in 2023 than in 2022, when it grew by 2%.

Employment Security uses the average annual wage to calculate:

• Unemployment benefits for new claims opened on or after July 7, 2024.
• Paid family and medical leave benefits for new claims filed on or after Jan. 1, 2025.
• Employers’ unemployment taxes beginning Jan. 1, 2025.

The state Department of Labor & Industries also uses the average annual wage to calculate workers’ compensation benefits.

The average annual wage and average weekly wage include only those wages that are covered by unemployment insurance (UI).

Average weekly wage

The average weekly wage rose from $1,618 in 2022 to $1,714 in 2023. The increase was driven by a 2.5% increase in employment and an 8.5% increase in total wages and salaries, which grew by nearly $24.6 billion in 2023.

Unemployment benefits

The average number of workers in Washington covered by UI rose from 3,435,848 in 2022 to 3,520,247 in 2023 — an increase of 83,399 workers.

Read more: ESDWAGOV — Washington’s average wage increases 5.9% in 2023