What does a Psychiatric Aides 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 Psychiatric Aides earning $51,080 in Washington has the equivalent purchasing power of $46,520 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) | $51,080 | $46,520 | $-4,559 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $51,080 | $46,520 | $-4,559 |
| Median (P50) | $51,080 | $46,520 | $-4,559 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $57,680 | $52,531 | $-5,148 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $60,520 | $55,118 | $-5,401 |
While $51,080 sounds high, Washington's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $46,520. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Where does Psychiatric Aides salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Washington ranks #11 out of 39 states for Psychiatric Aides after cost-of-living adjustment.
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A Psychiatric Aides in Washington earns a median salary of $51,080 per year. After adjusting for Washington's cost of living (RPP=109.8), the real purchasing power is $46,520 — 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 Psychiatric Aides in Washington: $51,080 x (100 / 109.8) = $46,520. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Psychiatric Aides's nominal salary of $51,080 in Washington has 8.9% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $46,520. However, Washington may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.