- Benefit programs
- Data & metrics
- ESD
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OLYMPIA – Washington’s average annual wage grew by 6.8% in 2024 to $95,160, according to the state Employment Security Department. The average wage grew more in 2024 than in 2023, when it grew by 5.9%.
Employment Security uses the average annual wage to calculate:
- Minimum and maximum unemployment insurance (UI) benefit levels for new claims opened on or after July 6, 2025.
- Paid Family & Medical Leave maximum benefit levels for new claims filed on or after Jan. 1, 2026.
- Employers’ unemployment taxes beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
The state Department of Labor & Industries also uses the average annual wage to calculate workers’ compensation benefits.
The average annual wage and average weekly wage include only those wages that are covered by unemployment insurance (UI). State law requires Employment Security to make this data available each June for the previous year.
Average weekly wage
The average weekly wage rose from $1,714 in 2023 to $1,830 in 2024. The increase was driven by a 0.7% increase in employment and an 7.5% increase in total wages and salaries, which grew by nearly $23.5 billion in 2024.
Unemployment benefits
The average number of workers in Washington covered by UI rose from 3,520,247 in 2023 to 3,544,556 in 2024 – an increase of 24,309 workers.
The minimum weekly unemployment benefit will increase by $24 to $366 for new claims opened on or after July 6, 2025. The minimum benefit amount is calculated at 20% of the average weekly wage.
The maximum weekly benefit will increase by $73 to $1,152. It is calculated as the greater of $496 or 63% of the average weekly wage.
No one can receive a weekly benefit amount that exceeds their average weekly wage.
Paid Leave benefits
Based on an average weekly wage of $1,830 in 2024, the maximum weekly Paid Leave benefit will be $1,647 for new claims filed on or after Jan. 1, 2026. The minimum weekly Paid Leave benefit will remain at its current amount, which is $100.
Employers’ unemployment taxes
The taxable wage base is the maximum amount on which employers must pay taxes for each employee. Washington's Unemployment Insurance program is an experience-based system. In general, employers’ tax rates depend on the size of their payroll and how much their former workers collect in unemployment benefits.
Beginning in 2026, employers will pay unemployment payroll taxes on the first $78,200 paid to each employee – up from $72,800 in 2025.
The UI tax rate for businesses is normally calculated and mailed to employers in December each year. Learn more about how we determine UI tax rates on the Employment Security website.
Summary of average annual wage (AAW) effects on benefits and taxes
| 2024 AAW | 2023 AAW | 2022 AAW | |
| Average annual wage | $95,160 | $89,138 | $84,167 |
| Weekly unemployment benefits |
Minimum $366* Maximum $1,152 |
Minimum $342* Maximum $1,079 |
Minimum $323* Maximum $1,019 |
| Weekly Paid Leave benefits |
Minimum $100 Maximum $1,647 |
Minimum $100 Maximum $1,524 |
Minimum $100 Maximum $1,456 |
| Annual unemployment taxes | On employees’ first $78,200 | On employees’ first $72,800 | On employees’ $68,500 |
*Or the average weekly wage, whichever was lower
Data and details
Industries with the largest average annual wage growth in 2024 were:
- Management of companies and enterprises, up 30.5%.
- Information, up 16.6%.
- Utilities, up 6.6%.