Seattle, WA

Salary intelligence, cost of living, and affordability data

All 671 jobs →

Avg Salary

$81,371

across all roles

Cost Index

126

Expensive

Avg Rent

$2,050/mo

1-bed apartment

Affordability

5/10

Low Affordability

How affordable is Seattle?

5/10

Low Affordability

Purchasing power score: 1.47× (take-home ÷ living costs)

With a cost of living index of 126 (US avg = 100) and average disposable income of $1,580/mo, Seattle is a high-cost market — salaries need to be competitive to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.

Cost of Living Benchmarks

Cost Index

126

US avg = 100

Est. Monthly Rent

$2,050

1-bed, city avg

Avg Disposable

$1,580

after taxes + living costs

Median Salary

$75,330

across all tracked roles

Purchasing Power

1.47×

take-home ÷ costs

Jobs Tracked

671

job titles with data

Highest-Paying Jobs in Seattle

By gross annual salary

1.Nurse Anesthetists
$237,310
2.Computer And Information Research Scientists
$232,120
3.Compensation And Benefits Managers
$214,220
4.Computer And Information Systems Managers
$212,450
5.Dentists
$208,810
6.Natural Sciences Managers
$208,230
7.Medical Dosimetrists
$201,780
8.Advertising And Promotions Managers
$192,970
9.Architectural And Engineering Managers
$183,640
10.Financial Managers
$180,770

Best Jobs for Disposable Income

After taxes and living costs

1.Nurse Anesthetists
$11,066/mo
2.Computer And Information Research Scientists
$10,751/mo
3.Compensation And Benefits Managers
$9,662/mo
4.Computer And Information Systems Managers
$9,554/mo
5.Dentists
$9,333/mo
6.Natural Sciences Managers
$9,297/mo
7.Medical Dosimetrists
$8,905/mo
8.Advertising And Promotions Managers
$8,369/mo
9.Architectural And Engineering Managers
$7,801/mo
10.Financial Managers
$7,627/mo

Jobs With Tightest Budgets in Seattle

These roles leave the least disposable income after living costs — worth knowing before accepting an offer.

Metalrefining Furnace Operators And Tenders

$4/mo left

$55,460/yr gross

Electric Motor

$12/mo left

$55,600/yr gross

Firstline Supervisors Of Food Preparation And Serving Workers

$20/mo left

$55,730/yr gross

Weighers

$29/mo left

$55,880/yr gross

Health Information Technologists And Medical Registrars

$54/mo left

$56,280/yr gross

Explore Seattle Further

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All data derived from BLS OEWS metro data and regional cost-of-living indices. Figures are estimates; verify with local sources before making decisions.