Are you feeling rich yet? According to the Washington State Department of Employment Security [site],Washington wages rank 10th in the nation. Washington workers earned an average of $823 per week in third quarter 2006, a whopping $39 more than the national average of $784. Outdistancing Washington in the earnings race were the District of Columbia*, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, California, Maryland, Delaware and Illinois.

Per the DES, the highest-paying sector was information, averaging $2229 per week. Unsurprisingly to anyone who has worked in this area, the industry sector with the lowest average wage was accommodation and food services, at $302 per week.

As can be expected, the highest average wage ($1043) was in King County. The lowest average wage is $425, over in Okanogan County.

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*Not really a state, but why quibble?