What the data says about software engineer pay in Seattle
After a simplified 17% national tax estimate that is about US$11,500 a month, in a metro with a cost-of-living index of 100.
Software Engineer pay in Seattle: national and in-state ranking
San Jose leads at US$213,110, 27% above Seattle, while San Antonio sits at US$128,430. The neighbours in the ranking are San Francisco and New York.
Seattle is the only observed WA metro for this role, so there is no in-state average to compare; the national and metro ranking above is the better reference.
Take-home, rent and buying power for Seattle software engineers
With a COL index of 100, there is little difference between headline pay and price-adjusted pay (US$167,300).
Its place holds after a cost-of-living adjustment — 3rd of 21 either way.
Take-home on the median comes to roughly US$11,500 monthly (17% effective tax in our simplified model). Rent for a modeled 1-bedroom is 14% of it, and the single-adult budget ends about US$8,030 in the black.
Seattle vs similar-cost metros
New York (similar cost level, COL 100) pays US$166,830, level with Seattle; modeled monthly leftover is US$20 lower.
Los Angeles (similar cost level, COL 100) pays US$160,920, 4% less than Seattle; modeled monthly leftover is US$400 lower.
A software engineer moving from Seattle to Chicago (similar cost level, COL 100) would see the median fall 20% to US$134,380, with US$2,080 less left over monthly in our model.
Where Software Engineer ranks among Seattle jobs
Among the 9 occupations with observed Seattle data on this site, Software Engineer pays the most. Next is Lawyer at US$164,980.
How Seattle ranks at the low and high end
Senior pay is the relative strength in Seattle: US$257,960 at the 90th percentile ranks 3rd of 21, while US$99,190 at the 10th ranks 6th.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$289,150 at the 90th percentile, +12% against Seattle.
Spread between low and high software engineer pay in Seattle
Pay is spread out: US$99,190 at the 10th percentile to US$257,960 at the 90th (2.6×). Level and setting matter more than the city average here.