Yakima Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Yakima, WA: $17.22/hr median hourly wage, $35,822 median annual salary, cost of living index 92.5, and $16.28/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Washington taxes.
Yakima Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Yakima, WA is $17.22/hr, equivalent to $35,822 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $10.68/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $24.45/hr, and the local minimum wage is $16.28/hr.
Median Salary
$35,822
$17.22/hr
Cost of Living
92.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.28
per hour
Unemployment
4%
rate
Yakima, WA Overview
Population
96,968
Median Salary
$35,822
Average Salary
$40,121
Avg Commute
17 min
Median Home Price
$285,000
Median Rent
$1,188/mo
Job Growth
+0.9%
Sales Tax
6.5%
Yakima is located in Washington with a population of 96,968. The median household salary is $35,822 per year ($17.22/hour), which is $23,562 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 17 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.9%.
Yakima Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Yakima, WA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $35,822 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 | $22,210 | $10.68/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $35,822 | $17.22/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $50,867 | $24.45/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $63,763 | $30.65/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.
Yakima Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Yakima, WA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$30,963
$2,580.25/month · $1,190.88/biweekly · Effective Rate: 13.6%
Gross Pay
$35,822
Federal Tax
-$2,119
State Tax
$0
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$2,740
Net Pay
$30,963
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $2,985.17 | $35,822.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$176.55 | -$2,118.64 |
| Washington State Tax (0%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$185.08 | -$2,220.96 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$43.28 | -$519.42 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,580.25 | $30,962.98 |
Salary Comparison: Yakima vs Other Cities
See how Yakima's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yakima, WA | $35,822 | 92.5 | $38,726 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Yuma, AZ | $35,820 | 93.5 | $38,310 |
| Fall River, MA | $35,818 | 100.8 | $35,534 |
| Chico, CA | $35,828 | 112.3 | $31,904 |
| Lawton, OK | $35,812 | 82.5 | $43,408 |
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 Yakima
Yakima's cost of living index is 92.5 (national average = 100). Living in Yakima is 7.5% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$285,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,188
Annual Rent Cost
$14,256
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $30,963 annual take-home pay in Yakima has the purchasing power of approximately $33,473 in an average-cost US area. Your $35,822 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Yakima
Yakima's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $35,822.
Salary Tips for Yakima 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. Yakima's top industries include Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $35,822 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 Yakima salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Yakima-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 Yakima indexed at 92.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Yakima's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $35,822 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 Yakima: 4%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.9% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Washington.
- Housing context: median home price $285,000, median rent $1,188/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Yakima, WA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Yakima unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Yakima 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. Yakima'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 hourly wage in Yakima, WA?
The median hourly wage in Yakima, WA is $17.22 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $35,822 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $10.68/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $24.45/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Yakima, WA?
The median salary in Yakima, WA is $35,822 per year, or $17.22 per hour. The average salary is $40,121. This is $23,562 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Yakima, WA?
Yakima's cost of living index is 92.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 7.5% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $285,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,188.
What are the best industries in Yakima?
The top industries in Yakima, WA include Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 0.9% and an unemployment rate of 4%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $35,822.
How does Yakima's salary compare to other cities?
Yakima's median salary of $35,822 is 39.7% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 92.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $38,726.
What is the minimum wage in Yakima, WA?
The minimum wage in Yakima, 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.