Accountant Salary in Seattle, WA: $101,964 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Seattle, WA earns a median $101,964/year (≈ $49.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Seattle's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 111.1), that paycheck buys what $91,750 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.9% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, accountants in Seattle, WA can expect to earn a median annual salary of $101,964, significantly higher than the national median of $85,864, indicating a robust local market for the profession. With a salary range extending from $75,162 at the 10th percentile to $164,833 at the 90th percentile, this suggests a considerable variance in pay based on experience, role, and the type of employer. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected to 2026, reflects the city's competitive environment, where positions in the Big 4 public accounting firms typically command the highest salaries, followed by regional firms and corporate positions. The strong job growth in the accounting sector, coupled with Seattle's thriving economy, highlights the demand for qualified professionals in this area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,162 | $36.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,991 | $39.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,964 | $49.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,109 | $62.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,833 | $79.25 |
Median Salary Position
18.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Seattle
In Seattle, WA, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $89,671 (2026 est.). At $101,964, the local median is 18.75% above the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Seattle: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Seattle Accountant Pay Compares
Seattle median: $101,964/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Seattle Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $91,942 | +10.90% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | +18.75% more |
Accountants in Seattle, WA earn a median of $101,964 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.75% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 10.90% above the Washington state average of $91,942.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Seattle has a cost of living 11.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Seattle, WA has a cost-of-living index of 111.133 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,964 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $91,750 — a 10.02% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,080
2025 BLS Actual
$99,370
2026 Current Est.
$101,964
2019–2027 Growth
+35.7%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,964 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,625 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Seattle metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 28.9% from $77,080 (2019) to $99,370 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,625 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,545 (35.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Seattle metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.61% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $75,162 – $82,991 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,991 – $101,964 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,964 – $130,109 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,109 – $164,833 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Seattle
The Seattle job market currently employs around 22,100 accountants, showcasing strong demand for these professionals. With a cost of living index at 111.133, accountants need to consider how their earnings translate to purchasing power in this metropolitan area. Among their options, the Big 4 firms—Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG—generally offer the highest salaries, but desirable positions also exist within regional firms and corporate finance departments that provide lucrative industry roles. The wide salary spread can be attributed to several factors, including CPA licensure requirements, differences in firm reputation, and the specialties in demand, such as tax or forensic accounting, leading to premium pay. For those seeking to maximize accountant pay in Seattle, pursuing a CPA license, targeting high-demand specialty areas, and staying aligned with upward mobility opportunities in public accounting can prove beneficial.
More salary data for Seattle, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sofia Patel, CPA
Career Analyst
Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $99,370 for accountantsin the Seattle metropolitan area. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov