Software Developer Salary in Seattle, WA
Software Developers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $167,280 a year — 23% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $125,602 take-home, or $10,467 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median software developer salary in Seattle, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$28,881
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,371
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,426
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$125,602
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Software Developer pay by experience in Seattle, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,190 | $47.69 | $78,610 | $6,551 |
| 25th percentile | $132,800 | $63.85 | $102,035 | $8,503 |
| Median (50th) | $167,280 | $80.42 | $125,602 | $10,467 |
| 75th percentile | $211,860 | $101.86 | $157,662 | $13,138 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $257,960+ | $124.02 | $188,408 | $15,701 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $167,280 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 software developer's $125,602 take-home pay has the buying power of $113,019 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Seattle, WA has 4.1× the national concentration of software developer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for software developers, adjusted for cost of living
Seattle, WA ranks #3 of 72 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $213,110 | $140,222 | $126,987 |
| 2 | Manchester, NH | $162,090 | $122,055 | $115,520 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $167,280 | $125,602 | $113,019 |
| 4 | Boulder, CO | $164,560 | $117,211 | $111,415 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $166,090 | $116,704 | $107,794 |
| 6 | Bridgeport, CT | $162,650 | $114,828 | $107,453 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $186,640 | $123,413 | $106,747 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $134,120 | $102,937 | $104,967 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 72 metros →
About the job: software developers
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +10.2% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software developer make in Seattle, WA?
The median software developer salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $167,280 a year, or about $80.42 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $132,800 and $211,860.
What is a software developer’s take-home pay in Seattle, WA?
On the median $167,280 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $125,602 a year ($10,467 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a software developer?
Pay here is 23% above the national median of $135,980. Local prices are 11.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $113,019 would in a typical U.S. city. Seattle, WA ranks #3 of 72 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a software developer 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) — 19% of a median software developer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Seattle, WA
- Computer Network Architect — $172,650
- 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
- Web Developer — $130,440
- Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $129,690
- Statistician — $105,650
- Database Architect — $105,430
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $104,440
- Computer User Support Specialist — $78,330