Burien Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Burien, WA: $28.95/hr median hourly wage, $60,208 median annual salary, cost of living index 119, and $16.28/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Washington taxes.
Burien Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Burien, WA is $28.95/hr, equivalent to $60,208 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $17.95/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $41.11/hr, and the local minimum wage is $16.28/hr.
Median Salary
$60,208
$28.95/hr
Cost of Living
119
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.28
per hour
Unemployment
3.3%
rate
Burien, WA Overview
Population
53,100
Median Salary
$60,208
Average Salary
$67,433
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$612,000
Median Rent
$2,475/mo
Job Growth
+1.1%
Sales Tax
6.5%
Burien is located in Washington with a population of 53,100. The median household salary is $60,208 per year ($28.95/hour), which is $824 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.1%.
Burien Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Burien, WA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $60,208 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 | $37,329 | $17.95/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $60,208 | $28.95/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $85,495 | $41.11/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $107,170 | $51.53/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.
Burien Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Burien, WA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$50,557
$4,213.09/month · $1,944.50/biweekly · Effective Rate: 16.0%
Gross Pay
$60,208
Federal Tax
-$5,045
State Tax
$0
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,606
Net Pay
$50,557
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,017.33 | $60,208.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$420.41 | -$5,044.96 |
| Washington State Tax (0%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$311.07 | -$3,732.90 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$72.75 | -$873.02 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,213.09 | $50,557.13 |
Salary Comparison: Burien vs Other Cities
See how Burien's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burien, WA | $60,208 | 119 | $50,595 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Hoffman Estates, IL | $60,206 | 96.5 | $62,390 |
| Hawthorne, CA | $60,197 | 150.6 | $39,971 |
| Clarkstown, NY | $60,194 | 139.6 | $43,119 |
| Santee, CA | $60,222 | 140.5 | $42,863 |
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 Burien
Burien's cost of living index is 119 (national average = 100). Living in Burien is 19% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$612,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,475
Annual Rent Cost
$29,700
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $50,557 annual take-home pay in Burien has the purchasing power of approximately $42,485 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $71,648 in Burien to match a $60,208 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Burien
Burien's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $60,208.
Salary Tips for Burien 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. Burien's top industries include Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $60,208 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 Burien salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Burien-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 Burien indexed at 119.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Burien's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $60,208 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 Burien: 3.3%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.1% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Washington.
- Housing context: median home price $612,000, median rent $2,475/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Burien, WA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Burien unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Burien 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. Burien'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 Burien, WA?
The median hourly wage in Burien, WA is $28.95 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $60,208 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $17.95/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $41.11/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Burien, WA?
The median salary in Burien, WA is $60,208 per year, or $28.95 per hour. The average salary is $67,433. This is $824 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Burien, WA?
Burien's cost of living index is 119 (national average = 100), meaning it is 19% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $612,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,475.
What are the best industries in Burien?
The top industries in Burien, WA include Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 1.1% and an unemployment rate of 3.3%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $60,208.
How does Burien's salary compare to other cities?
Burien's median salary of $60,208 is 1.4% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 119), the real purchasing power is approximately $50,595.
What is the minimum wage in Burien, WA?
The minimum wage in Burien, 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.