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What does a Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers 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 Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers earning $57,030 in Washington has the equivalent purchasing power of $51,939 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) | $55,980 | $50,983 | $-4,996 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $56,680 | $51,621 | $-5,058 |
| Median (P50) | $57,030 | $51,939 | $-5,090 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $99,970 | $91,047 | $-8,922 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $115,920 | $105,573 | $-10,346 |
While $57,030 sounds high, Washington's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $51,939. 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 Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
After applying Washington's RPP, the $57,030 median salary translates to $51,940 in real terms — a 8.9% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers.
Washington ranks #29 of 37 — bottom quartile for Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.
Where does Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Washington ranks #29 out of 37 states for Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers take-home pay in Washington after taxes →
A Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers in Washington earns a median salary of $57,030 per year. After adjusting for Washington's cost of living (RPP=109.8), the real purchasing power is $51,939 — 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 Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers in Washington: $57,030 x (100 / 109.8) = $51,939. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers's nominal salary of $57,030 in Washington has 8.9% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $51,939. However, Washington may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
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