WSDOT offers you more than just a paycheck

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State Government offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

We also have benefits specialists in each region who are trained to provide employees with the most up-to-date information on their benefits. We are committed to working with you to make sure you and your family will get the most out of your benefits.

Read about our benefits:

Insurance Benefits

Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance.  There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.  Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending plan which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses.  Employees are also covered by basic life and long term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.  To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

WSDOT employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

You begin accruing Vacation starting your first month of employment and are able to take leave after six months of employment. Since we value your loyalty, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Washington State generously supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year. Vacation accrues for full-time employees as follows:

A maximum of 30 working days (240 hours) may be accumulated.

Holidays

Full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays:

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Sick Leave

Employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Paid sick leave may be used for the following: illness, injury, preventative health care, exposure to a contagious disease the might endanger others, disability due to pregnancy or childbirth, illness injury or death of relatives.

Miscellaneous Leave, Unemployment, Compensation and Assistance programs

Please visit the Department of Personnel website for more information.