Salary & Cost of Living in SeaTac, WA
SeaTac, WA: $61,864 median salary, cost of living index 107.1, $16.28/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$61,864
$30/hr
Cost of Living
107.1
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.28
per hour
Unemployment
4.3%
rate
SeaTac, WA Overview
Population
31,454
Median Salary
$61,864
Average Salary
$69,288
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$577,000
Median Rent
$2,324/mo
Job Growth
+2.4%
Sales Tax
6.5%
SeaTac is located in Washington with a population of 31,454. The median household salary is $61,864 per year ($30/hour), which is $2,480 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.4%.
SeaTac Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in SeaTac, WA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $61,864 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 | $38,356 | $18.44/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $61,864 | $29.74/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $87,847 | $42.23/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $110,118 | $52.94/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.
SeaTac Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in SeaTac, WA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$51,746
$4,312.19/month · $1,990.24/biweekly · Effective Rate: 16.4%
Gross Pay
$61,864
Federal Tax
-$5,385
State Tax
$0
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,733
Net Pay
$51,746
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,155.33 | $61,864.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$448.77 | -$5,385.18 |
| Washington State Tax (0%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$319.63 | -$3,835.57 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$74.75 | -$897.03 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,312.19 | $51,746.22 |
Salary Comparison: SeaTac vs Other Cities
See how SeaTac's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| SeaTac, WA | $61,864 | 107.1 | $57,763 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Suisun City, CA | $61,774 | 149.1 | $41,431 |
| Montclair, CA | $61,968 | 143.9 | $43,063 |
| Arlington, MA | $61,981 | 121.5 | $51,013 |
| Yucaipa, CA | $61,744 | 141 | $43,790 |
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 SeaTac
SeaTac's cost of living index is 107.1 (national average = 100). Living in SeaTac is 7.099999999999994% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$577,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,324
Annual Rent Cost
$27,888
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $51,746 annual take-home pay in SeaTac has the purchasing power of approximately $48,316 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $66,256 in SeaTac to match a $61,864 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in SeaTac
SeaTac's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $61,864.
Salary Tips for SeaTac 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. SeaTac's top industries include Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $61,864 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 SeaTac salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the SeaTac-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 SeaTac indexed at 107.1.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of SeaTac's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $61,864 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 SeaTac: 4.3%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.4% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Washington.
- Housing context: median home price $577,000, median rent $2,324/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for SeaTac, WA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — SeaTac unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — SeaTac 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. SeaTac'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
Explore Salaries Across the US
Compare salary data and cost of living for hundreds of US cities. Find out where your paycheck goes the furthest.
Related Salary Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in SeaTac, WA?
The median salary in SeaTac, WA is $61,864 per year, or $30 per hour. The average salary is $69,288. This is $2,480 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in SeaTac, WA?
SeaTac's cost of living index is 107.1 (national average = 100), meaning it is 7.099999999999994% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $577,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,324.
What are the best industries in SeaTac?
The top industries in SeaTac, WA include Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture. The city has a job growth rate of 2.4% and an unemployment rate of 4.3%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $61,864.
How does SeaTac's salary compare to other cities?
SeaTac's median salary of $61,864 is 4.2% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 107.1), the real purchasing power is approximately $57,763.
What is the minimum wage in SeaTac, WA?
The minimum wage in SeaTac, 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.