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What does a Physicists 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 Physicists earning $134,790 in Washington has the equivalent purchasing power of $122,759 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) | $77,860 | $70,910 | $-6,949 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $110,940 | $101,038 | $-9,901 |
| Median (P50) | $134,790 | $122,759 | $-12,030 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $174,630 | $159,043 | $-15,586 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $238,430 | $217,149 | $-21,280 |
While $134,790 sounds high, Washington's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $122,759. 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 Physicists needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
After applying Washington's RPP, the $134,790 median salary translates to $122,760 in real terms — a 8.9% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Physicists.
Washington ranks #35 of 43 — bottom quartile for Physicists real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.
Where does Physicists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Washington ranks #35 out of 43 states for Physicists after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Physicists take-home pay in Washington after taxes →
A Physicists in Washington earns a median salary of $134,790 per year. After adjusting for Washington's cost of living (RPP=109.8), the real purchasing power is $122,759 — 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 Physicists in Washington: $134,790 x (100 / 109.8) = $122,759. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Physicists's nominal salary of $134,790 in Washington has 8.9% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $122,759. However, Washington may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
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