What does a Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health salary really buy you in Washington?
Washington is 9.8% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31
Washington's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 109.8, meaning prices are 9.8% higher the national average. A Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health earning $78,270 in Washington has the equivalent purchasing power of $71,284 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) | $43,120 | $39,271 | $-3,848 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $50,220 | $45,737 | $-4,482 |
| Median (P50) | $78,270 | $71,284 | $-6,985 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $100,730 | $91,739 | $-8,990 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $104,870 | $95,510 | $-9,359 |
While $78,270 sounds high, Washington's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $71,284. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Where does Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Washington ranks #2 out of 48 states for Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health after cost-of-living adjustment.
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A Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health in Washington earns a median salary of $78,270 per year. After adjusting for Washington's cost of living (RPP=109.8), the real purchasing power is $71,284 — 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 Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health in Washington: $78,270 x (100 / 109.8) = $71,284. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health's nominal salary of $78,270 in Washington has 8.9% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $71,284. However, Washington may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.