Women in Washington: Pay, Representation, and Firsts
Everything the data says about women in Washington — pay, legislature representation, historical firsts, and how the state ranks against the rest of the US.
Where Washington sits
Women in Washington earn 79.1 cents for every dollar men earn — a gap of 20.9%. That puts Washington #38 out of the 51 US jurisdictions on pay equity. The women-in-legislature figure of 49.7% ranks Washington #2 nationally — above 40%, a high-representation state.
Notable firsts & figures
Patty Murray (Senate 1993-present) — longest-serving woman US Senator as of 2024. Maria Cantwell (Senate 2001-present). Dixy Lee Ray (1977-81) — first woman governor.
- First woman US Senator: 1993
- First woman governor: 1977
- Largest city: Seattle
Professions in Washington
State-adjusted pay and gap figures for women in 20 common professions in Washington. Each page combines national BLS medians with Washington’s Census ACS wage environment.
Fields in Washington
Related national data
Frequently asked
What is the gender pay gap in Washington?
Women in Washington earn 79.1% of what men earn — a gap of 20.9%. Census ACS S2001 data.
How many women are in Washington’s state legislature?
49.7% of Washington state legislators are women — rank #2 nationally among 51 US jurisdictions (CAWP 2024).
Has Washington elected a woman governor?
Yes — the first woman governor of Washington took office in 1977.
Has Washington elected a woman US Senator?
Yes — the first woman US Senator from Washington took office in 1993.
How many women does Washington send to Congress?
5 women from Washington serve in the 119th US Congress (House + Senate, 2025-27).