Baker Salary in Seattle, WA
Bakers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $48,180 a year — 30% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $40,893 take-home, or $3,408 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median baker salary in Seattle, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,602
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,987
- Medicare (1.45%)$699
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$40,893
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Baker pay by experience in Seattle, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,380 | $18.45 | $33,018 | $2,752 |
| 25th percentile | $40,030 | $19.25 | $34,344 | $2,862 |
| Median (50th) | $48,180 | $23.16 | $40,893 | $3,408 |
| 75th percentile | $53,670 | $25.80 | $45,304 | $3,775 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,120 | $29.87 | $52,093 | $4,341 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $48,180 buys in Seattle, WA
Prices in Seattle, WA are 11.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median baker's $40,893 take-home pay has the buying power of $36,796 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Baker jobs are about as common in Seattle, WA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.12).
Best-paying cities for bakers, adjusted for cost of living
Seattle, WA ranks #1 of 18 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $48,180 | $40,893 | $36,796 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $42,490 | $35,160 | $33,238 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $46,600 | $38,164 | $33,010 |
| 4 | Riverside, CA | $41,790 | $34,554 | $32,463 |
| 5 | Portland, OR | $43,440 | $34,113 | $32,359 |
| 6 | Charlotte, NC | $36,580 | $30,621 | $31,455 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $37,800 | $31,816 | $30,795 |
| 8 | Atlanta, GA | $37,140 | $30,717 | $30,699 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 18 metros →
About the job: bakers
Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods. Pastry chefs in restaurants and hotels are included with "Chefs and Head Cooks" (35-1011).
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.5% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a baker make in Seattle, WA?
The median baker salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $48,180 a year, or about $23.16 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $40,030 and $53,670.
What is a baker’s take-home pay in Seattle, WA?
On the median $48,180 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $40,893 a year ($3,408 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a baker?
Pay here is 30% above the national median of $37,160. Local prices are 11.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $36,796 would in a typical U.S. city. Seattle, WA ranks #1 of 18 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a baker afford rent in Seattle, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Seattle, WA is $2,022 a month ($2,379 for two bedrooms) — 59% of a median baker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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