How does Seattle compare to other US cities for Software Engineer salaries?

Seattle has a salary multiplier of 1.25x compared to the US average. Cost of living should also be considered when comparing locations.

Software Engineer Salary in Seattle

What Software Engineers earn in Seattle, plus take-home pay breakdown and comparison to other US cities.

Seattle Salary Range$149k - $201k+25% vs US average

Monthly Take-Home$8,817 - $11,709After federal tax (no state income tax!) (6% 401k)

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Seattle Calculate Take-Home Pay

Cost of Living in Seattle

Seattle has a cost of living index of 150% compared to the US average. This means everyday expenses are typically 50% higher than average, which is reflected in the higher salaries.

ComparisonSeattleUS Average

Salary Multiplier125%100%

Cost of Living150%100%

Purchasing Power83%100%

Tax Note: No state income tax

Salary by Experience in Seattle

How Software Engineer salaries progress with experience in Seattle:

Experience LevelSalary RangeMonthly Net

Junior (1-2 years)$75k - $213k$4,803 - $12,371

Mid-Level (3-5 years)$90k - $250k$5,624 - $14,379

Senior (5-8 years)$105k - $300k$6,445 - $16,903

Lead / Principal (8+ years)$120k - $350k$7,266 - $19,351

Staff / Principal$135k - $400k$8,072 - $21,826

Compare Software Engineer Salaries by City

How Seattle compares to other US cities for Software Engineer roles:

San Francisco$161k - $217k+35% vs avg New York City$155k - $209k+30% vs avg Los Angeles$137k - $185k+15% vs avg Boston$143k - $193k+20% vs avg Washington DC$137k - $185k+15% vs avg Austin$131k - $177k+10% vs avg

Related Roles in Seattle

Data Analyst$69k - $150k Product Manager$113k - $250k UX Designer$88k - $200k Product Designer$100k - $225k

Career Resources

Jobs in Seattle

Browse Software Engineer vacancies in Seattle

US Salary Overview

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Take-Home Calculator

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Software Engineer salary in Seattle?

The average Software Engineer salary in Seattle is $149k - $201k, which is 25% above the US national average.

Is Seattle a good place to work as a Software Engineer?

Seattle offers competitive salaries for Software Engineer roles. With a purchasing power index of 83%, while salaries may be higher, the elevated cost of living should be considered.

What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in Seattle?

Based on a salary of $149k - $201k, the estimated monthly take-home pay is $8,817 - $11,709 after federal tax (no state income tax!) (6% 401k).

Salary data is based on industry research and job posting analysis. Actual salaries may vary. Use our take-home pay calculator for detailed breakdowns.