Skip to content
SalaryEngineer

Seattle engineer salary

Estimate

Updated January 2025

What engineers earn in the Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue metro, with a full breakdown by role.

Typical pay

$151,498

Seattle

Top earners

$232,884

Higher end

vs national

+30% vs national

U.S. $116,537

State

WA

Washington

Engineers in the Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue metro earn an estimated $151,498, +30% vs national, with top earners near $232,884. See the full breakdown by role below, or estimate your own total compensation — the number sharpens as local engineers contribute.

Engineering pay by role in Seattle

Estimated pay for each discipline in Seattle. Filter the list or open a role for the full picture.

22results

What affects engineering pay in Seattle

  • ▹Local market. Seattle pay runs +30% vs national for the typical engineer, usually above the Washington statewide estimate.
  • ▹Industry concentration.A metro's dominant employers (tech, defense, energy, healthcare) shift which engineering disciplines command a premium locally.
  • ▹Experience & specialization. Seniority and in-demand skills swing pay well beyond the metro median — see the role table above and the calculator.
  • ▹Remote work.Remote offers may anchor to a company's HQ market rather than Seattle, raising or lowering local pay.

Engineer salaries in Seattle — FAQ

How much do engineers make in Seattle?
Engineers in the Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue metro earn an estimated median of $151,498 per year — 30% above the national average — with top earners near $232,884. These are labeled estimates: geographic pay is modeled from BLS OEWS national baselines adjusted by a local cost-of-labor index, not a direct BLS metro/state wage.
What is the highest-paying engineering role in Seattle?
Engineering Managers have the highest estimated pay in Seattle, around $214,981 (median). Local industry concentration shifts which disciplines command the biggest premium.
How does engineering pay in Seattle compare to the national average?
The estimated Seattle engineering median of $151,498 is 30% above the national average of $116,537, and usually runs above the Washington statewide estimate.
Source details

Blended engineering estimate for Seattle: BLS OEWS national engineering median adjusted by a 1.30× cost-of-labor index.

Benchmarks come from published government wage data via BLS OEWS. Local and emerging-role figures are labeled estimates. Full methodology →

Estimate your salary →All of Washington →

Related searches

Washington engineer salaryEngineer salary by cityEngineer salary by roleSalary calculator