Salary & Cost of Living in Auburn, WA
Auburn, WA: $64,372 median salary, cost of living index 108.7, $16.28/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$64,372
$31/hr
Cost of Living
108.7
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.28
per hour
Unemployment
3.6%
rate
Auburn, WA Overview
Population
87,183
Median Salary
$64,372
Average Salary
$72,097
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$539,000
Median Rent
$2,200/mo
Job Growth
+3%
Sales Tax
6.5%
Auburn is located in Washington with a population of 87,183. The median household salary is $64,372 per year ($31/hour), which is $4,988 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +3%.
Auburn Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Auburn, WA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $64,372 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 | $39,911 | $19.19/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $64,372 | $30.95/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $91,408 | $43.95/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $114,582 | $55.09/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.
Auburn Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Auburn, WA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$53,672
$4,472.64/month · $2,064.30/biweekly · Effective Rate: 16.6%
Gross Pay
$64,372
Federal Tax
-$5,776
State Tax
$0
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,924
Net Pay
$53,672
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,364.33 | $64,372.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$481.32 | -$5,775.84 |
| Washington State Tax (0%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$332.59 | -$3,991.06 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$77.78 | -$933.39 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,472.64 | $53,671.70 |
Salary Comparison: Auburn vs Other Cities
See how Auburn's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn, WA | $64,372 | 108.7 | $59,220 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Santa Barbara, CA | $64,376 | 160.2 | $40,185 |
| Shakopee, MN | $64,360 | 98.4 | $65,407 |
| Bellflower, CA | $64,355 | 155.1 | $41,493 |
| Perris, CA | $64,352 | 140.9 | $45,672 |
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 Auburn
Auburn's cost of living index is 108.7 (national average = 100). Living in Auburn is 8.700000000000003% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$539,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,200
Annual Rent Cost
$26,400
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $53,672 annual take-home pay in Auburn has the purchasing power of approximately $49,376 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $69,972 in Auburn to match a $64,372 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Auburn
Auburn's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $64,372.
Salary Tips for Auburn 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. Auburn's top industries include Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $64,372 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 Auburn salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Auburn-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 Auburn indexed at 108.7.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Auburn's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $64,372 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 Auburn: 3.6%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 3% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Washington.
- Housing context: median home price $539,000, median rent $2,200/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Auburn, WA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Auburn unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Auburn 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. Auburn'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 Auburn, WA?
The median salary in Auburn, WA is $64,372 per year, or $31 per hour. The average salary is $72,097. This is $4,988 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Auburn, WA?
Auburn's cost of living index is 108.7 (national average = 100), meaning it is 8.700000000000003% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $539,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,200.
What are the best industries in Auburn?
The top industries in Auburn, WA include Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 3% and an unemployment rate of 3.6%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $64,372.
How does Auburn's salary compare to other cities?
Auburn's median salary of $64,372 is 8.4% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 108.7), the real purchasing power is approximately $59,220.
What is the minimum wage in Auburn, WA?
The minimum wage in Auburn, 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.