What Is a Good Salary in Seattle? Here’s What You Need to Know

So, you’re thinking about moving to Seattle or maybe just curious about the salary expectations there, huh? Well, I totally get it—Seattle’s an exciting city, but it’s also known for its high cost of living. The question "What is a good salary in Seattle?" can be a bit tricky, depending on your lifestyle, goals, and where you want to live in the city. Let’s break it down together.

1. Seattle’s Cost of Living: Why Salary Matters So Much

Honestly, before we dive into numbers, let’s talk about why salary in Seattle matters. The city has a pretty high cost of living, and it’s only getting higher. Housing, for example, is a major factor. I have a buddy, Mark, who just moved there, and he was shocked by how much rent costs for a one-bedroom apartment near Capitol Hill. I mean, we're talking around $2,200 a month. That’s a huge chunk of your paycheck right there. And don’t even get me started on groceries or eating out; the prices add up fast.

So, to get by comfortably in Seattle, you'll need a salary that can handle these extra costs without draining your savings.

Housing Costs: The Elephant in the Room

Like I said earlier, the housing market in Seattle is tough. You can expect to pay upwards of $2,000 a month for a modest apartment, depending on the area. If you’re eyeing somewhere a bit more central like Belltown or Queen Anne, the prices could be even higher.

This is why your salary needs to account for rent, utilities, and additional living expenses. Generally speaking, experts recommend that no more than 30% of your monthly income should go toward housing. But, let’s be real, with Seattle’s rents, this can be hard to follow unless your salary is on the higher end.

2. What Does "Good Salary" Even Mean in Seattle?

Okay, let’s get to the heart of the matter: what’s considered a "good" salary in Seattle? For most people, a salary in the range of $70,000 to $100,000 per year is considered pretty solid. But, and this is important—what’s good for one person might not be enough for someone else. It all depends on your personal situation and what you’re used to.

For instance, my cousin Lily just landed a job there as a software developer, and she’s making $95,000. Sounds like a lot, right? Well, it is, but she’s also living in a one-bedroom apartment, and let’s just say that her paycheck doesn’t go as far as she thought it would, especially after taxes, student loans, and other expenses.

Understanding the Median Salary

The median household income in Seattle is around $85,000, which gives you a rough idea of what the average person in the city is making. Of course, tech workers, healthcare professionals, and people in skilled trades tend to make more, while those in service jobs or entry-level positions might earn less.

3. The Impact of Your Job and Industry on Your Salary

Honestly, where you work matters a lot in Seattle. Tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft have driven up salaries in the area, especially in software engineering, data science, and cloud computing roles. These jobs often start at $100,000 or more. But hey, not everyone works in tech, right? And if you’re in fields like education, retail, or hospitality, salaries can be a little lower.

Take my friend Sam—he’s a teacher at a local high school. His salary is around $55,000, which sounds decent, but it doesn’t stretch as far when you consider his living expenses. Honestly, he sometimes jokes about how he needs a second job just to keep up with rent and groceries.

Salaries Across Industries

• Tech (Software Developer, Engineer, Data Analyst): $100,000 - $150,000+
• Healthcare (Nurse, Doctor, Physical Therapist): $70,000 - $120,000+
• Education (Teacher, Administrator): $45,000 - $75,000
• Retail & Service: $35,000 - $50,000
• Hospitality: $40,000 - $60,000

If you’re aiming for a job in tech, you might be able to negotiate a higher salary right out of the gate. But if you’re going into fields like education or customer service, salaries can be significantly lower. Something to keep in mind when thinking about what a good salary is in Seattle.

4. How Much Will You Actually Take Home?

Well, this is where it gets a little more complicated. In Seattle, the state of Washington doesn’t have a state income tax (yay!), but you’ll still have federal taxes and other deductions. So, don’t get too excited about that $100K salary, because your take-home pay will be lower once taxes and benefits (like health insurance) are factored in.

Here’s a rough estimate of what you might take home based on different salaries:

• $50,000 salary: You’ll likely take home around $38,000 - $40,000 after taxes.
• $75,000 salary: Expect about $55,000 - $58,000 after taxes.
• $100,000 salary: Around $70,000 - $75,000 after taxes.

So, even though the salary sounds great, the reality is that your take-home pay won’t be as large as you’d expect.

5. How Much Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Seattle?

Okay, let’s wrap it up with some real talk. How much do you really need to live comfortably in Seattle? If you want to live in a decent neighborhood, pay off some student loans, go out for brunch every weekend, and save a little bit, you’re probably looking at a salary in the $75,000 - $100,000 range.

Personally, I think anything below $60,000 a year will make it a lot harder to live comfortably, unless you're sharing rent with roommates or living outside of the city in more affordable suburbs like Renton or Everett. But hey, the higher your salary, the more room you have to enjoy the city without stressing about finances.

Is Seattle Worth It?

Honestly? Yes, but it depends. If you’re in a high-paying industry (like tech or healthcare), Seattle’s incredible quality of life, access to nature, and thriving culture make it an attractive place to live. However, if you’re just starting out in your career or in a lower-paying field, you might find it a bit tougher to keep up with the cost of living.

In the end, Seattle can be a fantastic city to live in, but you’ll need to plan your salary expectations carefully to avoid financial stress.

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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.