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Federal Government Employee Salary in Seattle, WA — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Seattle's cost of living (index: 156). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Federal Government Employee Salary in Seattle — Key Numbers

$151,320
Median Salary
$99,840
25th Percentile
$210,600
75th Percentile
$273,000
90th Percentile
National median (Federal Government Employee)$97,000
vs. National median+56.0%
Seattle median household income$102,900
vs. City household income+47.1%

Cost of Living in Seattle

Cost of Living Index
156(100 = avg)
Median Monthly Rent$1,800/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio14.3%
Annual rent cost$21,600
Median Home Price$780,000
Home Price / Salary5.2×
20% Down Payment$156,000
Years to save (20% rate)5.2 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Seattle

3.4%
Unemployment Rate
4,100,000
Metro Population
30 min
Avg Commute
36.5
Median Age

Seattle has a metro population of 4,100,000, offering a large, diverse job market with many employers across all industries. The 3.4% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.

Financial Calculators for Seattle

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Cost of Living — Seattle
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Federal Government Employee Salary in Washington
Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Seattle

Physician$357,708Chief Executive Officer$327,600Dentist$273,796IT Manager$264,436Marketing Manager$245,887Lawyer$227,386

Federal Government Employee Salary — Other Washington Cities

Spokane, WA$91,180Kennewick, WA$95,060

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Federal Government Employee make in Seattle, WA?

The estimated median salary for a Federal Government Employee in Seattle is $151,320 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $97,000 adjusted by Seattle's cost of living index (156). The typical salary range runs from $99,840 (25th percentile) to $210,600 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $273,000.

Is Seattle affordable for a Federal Government Employee?

On a $151,320 annual salary, a Federal Government Employee in Seattle would spend approximately 14.3% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,800/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Seattle relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $780,000 is 5.2× the annual salary.

How does a Federal Government Employee's salary compare to Seattle's overall income?

Seattle's median household income is $102,900. A Federal Government Employee earning the city-adjusted median of $151,320 earns 47.1% more than the typical Seattle household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Federal Government Employee — NationalFederal Government Employee in WashingtonAll Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.