Salary & Cost of Living in Walla Walla, WA
Walla Walla, WA: $60,678 median salary, cost of living index 110.9, $16.28/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$60,678
$29/hr
Cost of Living
110.9
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.28
per hour
Unemployment
3.4%
rate
Walla Walla, WA Overview
Population
34,060
Median Salary
$60,678
Average Salary
$67,959
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$527,000
Median Rent
$2,125/mo
Job Growth
+1.9%
Sales Tax
6.5%
Walla Walla is located in Washington with a population of 34,060. The median household salary is $60,678 per year ($29/hour), which is $1,294 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.9%.
Walla Walla Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Walla Walla, WA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $60,678 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $37,620 | $18.09/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $60,678 | $29.17/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $86,163 | $41.42/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $108,007 | $51.92/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Walla Walla Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Walla Walla, WA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$50,793
$4,232.77/month · $1,953.59/biweekly · Effective Rate: 16.3%
Gross Pay
$60,678
Federal Tax
-$5,243
State Tax
$0
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,642
Net Pay
$50,793
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,056.50 | $60,678.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$436.91 | -$5,242.86 |
| Washington State Tax (0%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$313.50 | -$3,762.04 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$73.32 | -$879.83 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,232.77 | $50,793.27 |
Salary Comparison: Walla Walla vs Other Cities
See how Walla Walla's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walla Walla, WA | $60,678 | 110.9 | $54,714 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Spanish Fork, UT | $60,696 | 100.8 | $60,214 |
| San Ramon, CA | $60,701 | 153.1 | $39,648 |
| Millcreek, UT | $60,650 | 101.7 | $59,636 |
| Leesburg, VA | $60,720 | 98.1 | $61,896 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Walla Walla
Walla Walla's cost of living index is 110.9 (national average = 100). Living in Walla Walla is 10.900000000000006% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$527,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,125
Annual Rent Cost
$25,500
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $50,793 annual take-home pay in Walla Walla has the purchasing power of approximately $45,801 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $67,292 in Walla Walla to match a $60,678 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Walla Walla
Walla Walla's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $60,678.
Salary Tips for Walla Walla Workers
- No state income tax advantage. Washington has no state income tax, which means more of your paycheck stays in your pocket. Invest the savings in a Roth IRA or 401(k) for long-term growth.
- Research top industries. Walla Walla's top industries include Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $60,678 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Walla Walla salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Walla Walla-WA metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Walla Walla indexed at 110.9.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Walla Walla's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $60,678 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Washington state income tax (0%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6.5%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Walla Walla: 3.4%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.9% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Washington.
- Housing context: median home price $527,000, median rent $2,125/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Walla Walla, WA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Walla Walla unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Walla Walla QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Washington — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Walla Walla's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Washington labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Walla Walla, WA?
The median salary in Walla Walla, WA is $60,678 per year, or $29 per hour. The average salary is $67,959. This is $1,294 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Walla Walla, WA?
Walla Walla's cost of living index is 110.9 (national average = 100), meaning it is 10.900000000000006% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $527,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,125.
What are the best industries in Walla Walla?
The top industries in Walla Walla, WA include Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 1.9% and an unemployment rate of 3.4%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $60,678.
How does Walla Walla's salary compare to other cities?
Walla Walla's median salary of $60,678 is 2.2% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 110.9), the real purchasing power is approximately $54,714.
What is the minimum wage in Walla Walla, WA?
The minimum wage in Walla Walla, WA is $16.28 per hour. This equals approximately $33,862 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $9.03 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.