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What does a Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary really buy you in Washington?
Washington is 9.8% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Washington's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 109.8, meaning prices are 9.8% higher the national average. A Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers earning $105,020 in Washington has the equivalent purchasing power of $95,646 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) | $75,890 | $69,116 | $-6,773 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $83,450 | $76,001 | $-7,448 |
| Median (P50) | $105,020 | $95,646 | $-9,373 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $136,470 | $124,289 | $-12,180 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $171,690 | $156,366 | $-15,323 |
While $105,020 sounds high, Washington's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $95,646. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Washington's RPP of 109.8 puts it 9.8% above the national baseline cost of living. A Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
After applying Washington's RPP, the $105,020 median salary translates to $95,647 in real terms — a 8.9% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers.
Washington sits at #17 of 50 states for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.
Where does Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Washington ranks #17 out of 50 states for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers take-home pay in Washington after taxes →
A Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Washington earns a median salary of $105,020 per year. After adjusting for Washington's cost of living (RPP=109.8), the real purchasing power is $95,646 — 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 Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Washington: $105,020 x (100 / 109.8) = $95,646. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers's nominal salary of $105,020 in Washington has 8.9% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $95,646. However, Washington may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
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