Seattle Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Seattle, WA: $45.67/hr median hourly wage, $95,000 median annual salary, cost of living index 152, and $16.66/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Washington taxes.
Seattle Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Seattle, WA is $45.67/hr, equivalent to $95,000 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $28.32/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $64.85/hr, and the local minimum wage is $16.66/hr.
Median Salary
$95,000
$45.67/hr
Cost of Living
152
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.66
per hour
Unemployment
3%
rate
Seattle, WA Overview
Population
737,015
Median Salary
$95,000
Average Salary
$108,000
Avg Commute
28 min
Median Home Price
$780,000
Median Rent
$2,400/mo
Job Growth
+2.8%
Sales Tax
10.25%
Seattle is located in Washington with a population of 737,015. The median household salary is $95,000 per year ($45.67/hour), which is $35,616 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 28 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.8%.
Seattle Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Seattle, WA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $95,000 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 | $58,900 | $28.32/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $95,000 | $45.67/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $134,900 | $64.85/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $169,100 | $81.29/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.
Seattle Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Seattle, WA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$75,663
$6,305.21/month · $2,910.10/biweekly · Effective Rate: 20.4%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $2,910.10 take-home per paycheck after estimated Washington and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$95,000
Federal Tax
-$12,070
State Tax
$0
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$7,268
Net Pay
$75,663
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $7,916.67 | $95,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$1,005.83 | -$12,070.00 |
| Washington State Tax (0%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$490.83 | -$5,890.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$114.79 | -$1,377.50 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $6,305.21 | $75,662.50 |
Salary Comparison: Seattle vs Other Cities
See how Seattle's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $95,000 | 152 | $62,500 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Stamford, CT | $95,000 | 145 | $65,517 |
| Carmel, IN | $95,000 | 110 | $86,364 |
| Dublin, OH | $95,000 | 108 | $87,963 |
| Sugar Land, TX | $95,000 | 110 | $86,364 |
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 Seattle
Seattle's cost of living index is 152 (national average = 100). Living in Seattle is 52% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$780,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,400
Annual Rent Cost
$28,800
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $75,663 annual take-home pay in Seattle has the purchasing power of approximately $49,778 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $144,400 in Seattle to match a $95,000 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Seattle
Seattle's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $95,000.
Salary Tips for Seattle Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Seattle has a cost of living 52% above the national average. When negotiating salary, factor in the higher housing and living costs to ensure your real purchasing power stays competitive.
- 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. Seattle's top industries include Technology, Healthcare, Aerospace. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $95,000 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.
Job Salaries in Seattle, WA
Browse occupation-specific salary estimates adjusted for Seattle's cost of living. These pages connect national role benchmarks with local take-home pay and market context.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Seattle salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Seattle-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 Seattle indexed at 152.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Seattle's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $95,000 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Washington state income tax (0%) (no local income tax), sales tax (10.25%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Seattle: 3%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Healthcare, Aerospace — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Washington.
- Housing context: median home price $780,000, median rent $2,400/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Seattle, WA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Seattle unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Seattle 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. Seattle'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 Seattle, WA?
The median hourly wage in Seattle, WA is $45.67 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $95,000 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $28.32/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $64.85/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Seattle, WA?
The median salary in Seattle, WA is $95,000 per year, or $45.67 per hour. The average salary is $108,000. This is $35,616 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Seattle, WA?
Seattle's cost of living index is 152 (national average = 100), meaning it is 52% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $780,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,400.
What are the best industries in Seattle?
The top industries in Seattle, WA include Technology, Healthcare, Aerospace. The city has a job growth rate of 2.8% and an unemployment rate of 3%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $95,000.
How does Seattle's salary compare to other cities?
Seattle's median salary of $95,000 is 60.0% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 152), the real purchasing power is approximately $62,500.
What is the minimum wage in Seattle, WA?
The minimum wage in Seattle, WA is $16.66 per hour. This equals approximately $34,653 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $9.41 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.