Washington State's Average Annual Wage Increases to $82,508
Jun. 17—Washington state saw its second largest average annual wage increase on record in 2021, according to the Washington's Employment Security Department.
The state's average annual wage increased by 7.5% to $82,508 due to strong demand for workers and hiring difficulties.
The largest increases in wage growth were found in economic sectors with large numbers of lower wage workers, such as leisure and hospitality, which saw an average annual wage increase of 14.2%.
The state's average annual wage is used to calculate Washington's unemployment benefits, with the minimum weekly benefit rising by $22 to $317 and the maximum weekly benefit rising by $70 to $999. The average annual wage is also used to calculate the state's paid family and medical leave benefits and employers' taxable wage base.
