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Surveying and Mapping Technicians Salary in Washington: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Surveying and Mapping Technicians salary really buy you in Washington?

Washington is 9.8% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$62,720
Median annual (2025)
-8.9%
Real Purchasing Power
$57,122
COL-adjusted (RPP=109.8)

Washington Cost of Living Index

Washington's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 109.8, meaning prices are 9.8% higher the national average. A Surveying and Mapping Technicians earning $62,720 in Washington has the equivalent purchasing power of $57,122 in an average-cost US state.

WA: 109.8
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

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) $46,160 $42,040 $-4,119
25th Percentile (P25) $53,830 $49,025 $-4,804
Median (P50) $62,720 $57,122 $-5,597
75th Percentile (P75) $76,070 $69,280 $-6,789
90th Percentile (P90) $88,830 $80,901 $-7,928
Key Insight

While $62,720 sounds high, Washington's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $57,122. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Washington Is a High-Cost State

RPP 109.8

Washington's RPP of 109.8 puts it 9.8% above the national baseline cost of living. A Surveying and Mapping Technicians needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

-8.9%

After applying Washington's RPP, the $62,720 median salary translates to $57,122 in real terms — a 8.9% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Surveying and Mapping Technicians.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#19 / 50

Washington sits at #19 of 50 states for Surveying and Mapping Technicians COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Surveying and Mapping Technicians (After Cost of Living)

Where does Surveying and Mapping Technicians salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Alaska
$75,460
RPP 102.0
$74,912
RPP 97.7
$69,431
RPP 112.5
$68,624
RPP 88.7
5. Montana
$66,810
RPP 90.3
6. Iowa
$66,685
RPP 88.4
7. Ohio
$65,934
RPP 91.5
$64,008
RPP 92.3
9. Wyoming
$63,351
RPP 91.9
10. Utah
$63,068
RPP 94.5

Washington ranks #19 out of 50 states for Surveying and Mapping Technicians after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Surveying and Mapping Technicians take-home pay in Washington after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Surveying and Mapping Technicians in Washington after cost of living?

A Surveying and Mapping Technicians in Washington earns a median salary of $62,720 per year. After adjusting for Washington's cost of living (RPP=109.8), the real purchasing power is $57,122 — a -8.9% difference.

Is Washington expensive to live in?

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).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

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.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Surveying and Mapping Technicians in Washington: $62,720 x (100 / 109.8) = $57,122. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in Washington offset the salary?

Partially — a Surveying and Mapping Technicians's nominal salary of $62,720 in Washington has 8.9% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $57,122. However, Washington may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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