What does a Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary really buy you in Washington?
Washington is 9.8% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-04-06
Washington's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 109.8, meaning prices are 9.8% higher the national average. A Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earning $102,860 in Washington has the equivalent purchasing power of $93,679 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Washington's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $64,610 | $58,843 | $-5,766 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $80,190 | $73,032 | $-7,157 |
| Median (P50) | $102,860 | $93,679 | $-9,180 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $131,980 | $120,200 | $-11,779 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $160,340 | $146,029 | $-14,310 |
While $102,860 sounds high, Washington's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $93,679. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Where does Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Washington ranks #20 out of 48 states for Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists after cost-of-living adjustment.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
How much do you actually take home? See Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists take-home pay in Washington after taxes →
A Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists in Washington earns a median salary of $102,860 per year. After adjusting for Washington's cost of living (RPP=109.8), the real purchasing power is $93,679 — a -8.9% difference.
Washington's cost of living is 9.8% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Washington is 109.8 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists in Washington: $102,860 x (100 / 109.8) = $93,679. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists's nominal salary of $102,860 in Washington has 8.9% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $93,679. However, Washington may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.