Cost of Living in Seattle, WA

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.

Salary comparison calculator

What would you need to earn in Seattle, WA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?

Prices in Seattle, WA vs. the U.S. average

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.

Rent in Seattle, WA

HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.

Take-home pay in Seattle, WA

Highest-paying jobs in Seattle, WA

*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.

Frequently asked questions

All salaries in Seattle, WA

Management Occupations

• Chief Executive — $239,200+
• Computer and Information Systems Manager — $214,680
• Architectural and Engineering Manager — $204,340
• Natural Sciences Manager — $203,150
• Financial Manager — $185,550
• Sales Manager — $184,320
• Marketing Manager — $175,850
• Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary — $174,260
• Human Resources Manager — $171,360
• Managers, All Other — $168,980
• Training and Development Manager — $168,240
• Public Relations Manager — $166,590
• Purchasing Manager — $165,430
• Medical and Health Services Manager — $160,100
• Construction Manager — $159,430
• Industrial Production Manager — $151,580
• Fundraising Manager — $151,490
• Facilities Manager — $149,490
• Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers — $146,080
• General and Operations Manager — $146,030
• Education Administrators, Postsecondary — $133,000
• Administrative Services Manager — $131,700
• Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers — $117,990
• Social and Community Service Manager — $106,400
• Food Service Manager — $98,800
• Education Administrators, All Other — $93,590
• Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare — $70,470

Business and Financial Operations Occupations

• Financial Risk Specialist — $134,330
• Project Management Specialist — $130,380
• Management Analyst — $126,340
• Financial and Investment Analyst — $124,790
• Labor Relations Specialist — $119,200
• Personal Financial Advisor — $114,540
• Logistician — $108,920
• Budget Analyst — $104,090
• Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $102,170
• Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $101,920
• Insurance Underwriter — $100,130
• Accountant and Auditor — $99,370
• Property Appraiser and Assessor — $98,020
• Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $95,970
• Compliance Officer — $95,850
• Cost Estimator — $94,490
• Credit Analyst — $94,270
• Human Resources Specialist — $92,770
• Training and Development Specialist — $89,550
• Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists — $85,910
• Loan Officer — $83,720
• Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $83,200
• Financial Specialists, All Other — $82,920
• Fundraiser — $80,920
• Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners — $69,890
• Tax Preparer — $47,860

Computer and Mathematical Occupations

• Computer and Information Research Scientist — $211,270
• Computer Network Architect — $172,650
• Software Developer — $167,280
• Data Scientist — $164,740
• Information Security Analyst — $161,780
• Computer Occupations, All Other — $136,120
• Web and Digital Interface Designer — $133,760
• Computer Systems Analyst — $133,690
• Database Administrator — $133,180
• Web Developer — $130,440
• Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $129,690
• Statistician — $105,650
• Database Architect — $105,430
• Computer Network Support Specialist — $104,610
• Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $104,440
• Operations Research Analyst — $102,930
• Computer User Support Specialist — $78,330

Architecture and Engineering Occupations

• Computer Hardware Engineer — $169,120
• Aerospace Engineer — $163,580
• Materials Engineer — $156,130
• Electrical Engineer — $140,210
• Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $138,890
• Engineers, All Other — $137,430
• Industrial Engineer — $131,210
• Environmental Engineer — $128,410
• Mechanical Engineer — $126,590
• Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologist and Technician — $125,160
• Civil Engineer — $116,480
• Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $100,610
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $98,180
• Mechanical Drafter — $94,470
• Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other — $92,750
• Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician — $90,620
• Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician — $84,660
• Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician — $80,860
• Landscape Architect — $76,730
• Architectural and Civil Drafter — $75,830
• Surveying and Mapping Technician — $62,720

Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations

• Epidemiologist — $123,970
• School Psychologist — $115,570
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $109,500
• Biological Scientists, All Other — $108,580
• Urban and Regional Planner — $108,040
• Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers — $107,800
• Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $105,430
• Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other — $105,140
• Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $102,980
• Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist — $96,450
• Chemist — $87,990
• Biological Technician — $63,770

Community and Social Service Occupations

• Social Workers, All Other — $105,570
• Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $87,280
• Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist — $85,430
• Healthcare Social Worker — $83,550
• Clergy — $81,750
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker — $78,350
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $75,280
• Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $73,580
• Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other — $70,630
• Religious Workers, All Other — $62,620
• Rehabilitation Counselor — $58,580
• Social and Human Service Assistant — $58,090
• Community Health Worker — $57,980

Legal Occupations

• Lawyer — $164,980
• Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates — $135,180
• Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $92,900
• Legal Support Workers, All Other — $87,110
• Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers — $71,310

Educational Instruction and Library Occupations

• Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary — $164,860
• Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary — $129,910
• Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $102,920
• Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $102,670
• Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $102,560
• Special Education Teachers, Secondary School — $102,290
• Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School — $102,180
• Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary — $102,060
• Business Teachers, Postsecondary — $101,930
• Librarian and Media Collections Specialist — $101,780
• Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education — $101,580
• Special Education Teachers, Middle School — $100,350
• Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School — $100,150
• Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary — $99,110
• Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary — $97,560
• Instructional Coordinator — $97,130
• Special Education Teachers, Preschool — $94,240
• Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary — $93,540
• Teachers and Instructors, All Other — $81,360
• Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary — $81,050
• Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary — $81,010
• English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary — $80,770
• Education Teachers, Postsecondary — $79,820
• Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary — $79,400
• Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors — $71,630
• Library Technician — $65,690
• Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other — $60,100
• Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $60,070
• Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $53,950
• Self-Enrichment Teacher — $48,530
• Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary — $48,380
• Tutor — $46,550
• Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $46,380

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

• Special Effects Artist and Animator — $134,120
• Art Director — $124,610
• Technical Writer — $107,580
• Writer and Author — $98,730
• Public Relations Specialist — $96,000
• Producer and Director — $86,680
• Editor — $79,660
• Interior Designer — $78,810
• Graphic Designer — $76,720
• Audio and Video Technician — $69,270
• Interpreter and Translator — $65,800
• News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists — $59,340
• Photographer — $51,790
• Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $50,580
• Coach and Scout — $49,640
• Floral Designer — $46,870

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations

• Anesthesiologist — $239,200+
• General Internal Medicine Physician — $239,200+
• Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
• Family Medicine Physician — $239,200+
• Radiologist — $239,200+
• Physician Assistant — $167,290
• Veterinarian — $163,810
• Pharmacist — $162,870
• Dentists, General — $161,270
• Dental Hygienist — $133,740
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist — $130,460
• Diagnostic Medical Sonographer — $129,960
• Registered Nurse — $128,260
• Paramedic — $123,310
• Occupational Therapist — $109,860
• Speech-Language Pathologist — $108,690
• Cardiovascular Technologist and Technician — $107,710
• Physical Therapist — $107,290
• Chiropractor — $105,290
• Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $105,200
• Respiratory Therapist — $104,220
• Dietitian and Nutritionist — $87,580
• Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $85,690
• Surgical Technologist — $79,900
• Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $78,170
• Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other — $77,970
• Medical Records Specialist — $65,530
• Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other — $63,720
• Pharmacy Technician — $61,320
• Veterinary Technologist and Technician — $61,260
• Emergency Medical Technician — $55,700
• Ophthalmic Medical Technician — $53,990
• Psychiatric Technician — $52,490
• Opticians, Dispensing — $48,960

Healthcare Support Occupations

• Massage Therapist — $94,220
• Physical Therapist Assistant — $65,450
• Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $64,540
• Dental Assistant — $62,040
• Medical Equipment Preparer — $61,870
• Medical Assistant — $61,500
• Nursing Assistant — $51,990
• Phlebotomist — $49,900
• Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $48,210
• Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $45,640
• Pharmacy Aide — $45,400

Protective Service Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $158,510
• First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $134,830
• Detective and Criminal Investigator — $123,820
• Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $115,120
• Firefighter — $101,090
• Correctional Officer and Jailer — $81,550
• First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers — $62,640
• Crossing Guard and Flagger — $50,020
• Security Guard — $47,490
• Protective Service Workers, All Other — $42,170
• Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $39,240

Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations

• Chef and Head Cook — $80,330
• First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $61,610
• Bartender — $58,180
• Waiter and Waitress — $57,280
• Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $51,530
• Cooks, Short Order — $50,870
• Cooks, Restaurant — $47,730
• Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $45,120
• Cooks, Fast Food — $44,030
• Food Preparation Worker — $43,830
• Dishwasher — $42,750
• Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $40,640
• Fast Food and Counter Worker — $39,150
• Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $38,430

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations

• First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers — $76,490
• First-Line Supervisor of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers — $67,910
• Pest Control Worker — $58,380
• Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $48,480
• Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $46,490
• Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $44,900

Personal Care and Service Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Gambling Services Workers — $80,920
• Skincare Specialist — $80,510
• First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $68,020
• Tour and Travel Guide — $63,630
• First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $63,560
• Gambling Dealer — $60,490
• Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $59,810
• Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $56,380
• Residential Advisor — $54,310
• Manicurist and Pedicurist — $50,800
• Concierge — $47,830
• Recreation Worker — $45,990
• Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $44,250
• Animal Caretaker — $44,060
• Childcare Worker — $43,710
• Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other — $41,020
• Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $39,330

Sales and Related Occupations

• Sales Engineer — $153,560
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $129,550
• Advertising Sales Agent — $105,320
• First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $100,060
• Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $82,540
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $82,260
• Real Estate Sales Agent — $79,990
• Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $77,860
• Sales and Related Workers, All Other — $74,520
• First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $62,170
• Insurance Sales Agent — $61,630
• Travel Agent — $55,260
• Counter and Rental Clerk — $49,350
• Parts Salesperson — $49,020
• Cashier — $44,210
• Retail Salesperson — $42,080
• Demonstrator and Product Promoter — $39,110

Office and Administrative Support Occupations

• Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $81,850
• First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $81,640
• Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $80,860
• Public Safety Telecommunicator — $80,180
• Court, Municipal, and License Clerks — $77,860
• Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs — $67,710
• Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk — $66,630
• Postal Service Clerk — $63,210
• Postal Service Mail Carrier — $62,960
• Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $62,000
• Cargo and Freight Agent — $61,860
• Loan Interviewer and Clerk — $61,330
• Insurance Claim and Policy Processing Clerk — $61,120
• Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $60,460
• Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping — $60,420
• Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $60,350
• Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $60,230
• Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators — $59,740
• Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan — $59,420
• Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance — $59,340
• Billing and Posting Clerk — $58,920
• Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks — $56,370
• Information and Record Clerks, All Other — $56,140
• Procurement Clerk — $53,610
• Customer Service Representative — $53,550
• Office Clerks, General — $53,290
• Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other — $50,820
• Library Assistants, Clerical — $50,560
• Teller — $49,880
• Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service — $49,270
• Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agent and Travel Clerk — $48,520
• Courier and Messenger — $48,510
• Bill and Account Collector — $48,460
• Data Entry Keyer — $47,000
• Receptionist and Information Clerk — $45,820
• Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks — $44,520

Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations

• Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse — $42,800

Construction and Extraction Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $121,130
• Structural Iron and Steel Worker — $111,440
• Sheet Metal Worker — $109,830
• Construction and Building Inspector — $102,830
• Electrician — $101,780
• Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $95,750
• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $95,230
• Pipelayer — $84,830
• Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher — $80,860
• Taper — $80,340
• Tile and Stone Setter — $79,040
• Carpenter — $76,410
• Glazier — $75,610
• Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer — $75,560
• Highway Maintenance Worker — $75,030
• Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall — $71,980
• Septic Tank Servicer and Sewer Pipe Cleaner — $64,180
• Roofer — $64,090
• Painters, Construction and Maintenance — $60,440
• Hazardous Materials Removal Worker — $60,290
• Construction Laborer — $59,740
• Fence Erector — $55,440

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

• Electrical Power-Line Installer and Repairer — $134,150
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment — $109,570
• Aircraft Mechanic and Service Technician — $103,900
• Avionics Technician — $100,200
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $93,230
• Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist — $82,330
• Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines — $81,090
• Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers — $81,030
• Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $80,100
• Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $79,920
• Telecommunications Line Installer and Repairer — $79,750
• Medical Equipment Repairer — $77,020
• Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installer — $75,910
• Automotive Body and Related Repairer — $64,590
• Home Appliance Repairer — $61,870
• Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other — $61,500
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $60,760
• Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $59,290
• Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers — $49,470
• Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers — $46,190
• Tire Repairer and Changer — $46,030

Production Occupations

• Tool and Die Maker — $116,850
• Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers — $110,470
• Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator — $109,600
• Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator — $99,010
• First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $80,460
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $76,800
• Machinist — $74,560
• Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender — $67,230
• Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $66,240
• Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter — $65,980
• Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $64,020
• Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $63,030
• Butcher and Meat Cutter — $60,600
• Fiberglass Laminator and Fabricator — $59,110
• Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $58,990
• Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $58,430
• Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers — $58,370
• Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic — $56,770
• Cabinetmaker and Bench Carpenter — $56,370
• Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $54,920
• Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $53,930
• Printing Press Operator — $52,040
• Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $50,150
• Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $49,280
• Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $48,520
• Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $48,470
• Production Workers, All Other — $48,260
• Baker — $48,180
• Helpers--Production Worker — $46,980
• Sewing Machine Operator — $44,350
• Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker — $43,610
• Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender — $43,370
• Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers — $43,190
• Food Batchmaker — $42,370

Transportation and Material Moving Occupations

• Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers — $229,900
• Air Traffic Controller — $175,280
• Commercial Pilot — $126,990
• Crane and Tower Operator — $114,330
• Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels — $109,080
• Ship Engineer — $108,900
• Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity — $83,430
• First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $76,390
• Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector — $75,090
• Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $71,240
• Sailor and Marine Oiler — $68,740
• Bus Drivers, School — $66,380
• Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $55,600
• Aircraft Service Attendant — $50,520
• Light Truck Driver — $49,590
• Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $47,740
• Stocker and Order Filler — $46,830
• Shuttle Driver and Chauffeur — $46,180
• Packers and Packagers, Hand — $44,010
• Parking Attendant — $43,790
• Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendant — $43,300
• Cleaner of Vehicles and Equipment — $42,750
• Passenger Attendant — $41,760
• Driver/Sales Worker — $41,570

Other cities in Washington

• Spokane, WA
• Olympia, WA
• Kennewick, WA
• Yakima, WA
• Bremerton, WA
• Bellingham, WA
• Mount Vernon, WA
• Wenatchee, WA
• Longview, WA
• Walla Walla, WA

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