Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
64 Highest Paying Jobs in Seattle, WA (2026)
The highest-paying job in Seattle, WA, Washington is Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a median salary of $343,140 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data. Across all 64 tracked occupations the average median is $135,684, with 53 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Seattle, WA has a cost-of-living index of 149.4 (national average = 100), so a $135,684 nominal salary equals $90,819 in average-cost-metro buying power.
The 64 occupations below are ranked by median wage in Seattle, WA, WA, from BLS OEWS data. Seattle, WA's cost-of-living index runs 149.4 (national baseline = 100), which shapes the headline-wage interpretation. Top-paying occupations in any U.S. metro typically cluster around physicians, dentists, executives, tech specialists, and licensed professionals. The specific top of the list varies with local industry concentration: tech-heavy metros boost software-engineering ranks, finance-heavy metros boost banking ranks.
Each role on the ranking links to the per-role-and-city page with full percentile distribution (p10 to p90), employment count, and cost-adjusted wage. For workers comparing offers within Seattle, WA, the percentile data is the most decision-relevant.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Seattle, WA
Ranked by median (50th percentile) salary. The COL-Adjusted column rebases each nominal salary to Seattle, WA's cost-of-living index of 149.4 so you can compare buying power against an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $343,140 · 10th–90th $95,430–$637,670 · 150 jobs in metro
Obstetrician/Gynecologists in Seattle, WA earn $343,140 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $637,670. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $229,679 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $306,190 · 10th–90th $95,500–$337,870 · 840 jobs in metro
Family Medicine Physicians in Seattle, WA earn $306,190 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $337,870. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $204,946 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $214,680 · 10th–90th $132,270–$333,990 · 13,170 jobs in metro
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Seattle, WA earn $214,680 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $333,990. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $143,695 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $211,270 · 10th–90th $103,480–$286,400 · 1,620 jobs in metro
Software Quality Assurance Analysts in Seattle, WA earn $211,270 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $286,400. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $141,412 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $185,550 · 10th–90th $124,820–$324,570 · 8,500 jobs in metro
Financial Managers in Seattle, WA earn $185,550 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $324,570. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $124,197 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $184,320 · 10th–90th $109,490–$304,640 · 6,620 jobs in metro
Sales Managers in Seattle, WA earn $184,320 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $304,640. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $123,373 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $175,850 · 10th–90th $99,180–$296,680 · 6,720 jobs in metro
Marketing Managers in Seattle, WA earn $175,850 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $296,680. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $117,704 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $172,650 · 10th–90th $93,880–$243,590 · 3,710 jobs in metro
Computer Network Architects in Seattle, WA earn $172,650 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $243,590. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $115,562 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $171,360 · 10th–90th $111,060–$291,480 · 3,200 jobs in metro
Human Resources Managers in Seattle, WA earn $171,360 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $291,480. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $114,699 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $167,810 · 10th–90th $121,350–$227,540 · 420 jobs in metro
Optometrists in Seattle, WA earn $167,810 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $227,540. Adjusted for the local cost of living, that median equals $112,323 of buying power in an average-cost U.S. metro.
Full Ranking (64 Occupations)
| Rank | Role | Category | Median | 10th–90th | COL-Adjusted | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obstetrician/Gynecologist | Healthcare | $343,140 | $95,430–$637,670 | $229,679 | 150 |
| 2 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $306,190 | $95,500–$337,870 | $204,946 | 840 |
| 3 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $214,680 | $132,270–$333,990 | $143,695 | 13,170 |
| 4 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $211,270 | $103,480–$286,400 | $141,412 | 1,620 |
| 5 | Financial Manager | Finance | $185,550 | $124,820–$324,570 | $124,197 | 8,500 |
| 6 | Sales Manager | Management | $184,320 | $109,490–$304,640 | $123,373 | 6,620 |
| 7 | Marketing Manager | Management | $175,850 | $99,180–$296,680 | $117,704 | 6,720 |
| 8 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $172,650 | $93,880–$243,590 | $115,562 | 3,710 |
| 9 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $171,360 | $111,060–$291,480 | $114,699 | 3,200 |
| 10 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $167,810 | $121,350–$227,540 | $112,323 | 420 |
| 11 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $167,290 | $130,820–$218,970 | $111,975 | 1,920 |
| 12 | Software Developer | Technology | $167,280 | $99,190–$257,960 | $111,968 | 92,770 |
| 13 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $165,350 | $94,300–$295,440 | $110,676 | 320 |
| 14 | Lawyer | Legal | $164,980 | $99,910–$314,120 | $110,428 | 9,210 |
| 15 | Data Scientist | Technology | $164,740 | $81,130–$230,980 | $110,268 | 8,370 |
| 16 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $163,810 | $99,260–$274,030 | $109,645 | 1,330 |
| 17 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $162,870 | $126,410–$209,460 | $109,016 | 4,440 |
| 18 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $161,780 | $101,980–$213,750 | $108,286 | 4,700 |
| 19 | Dentist | Healthcare | $161,270 | $67,870–$335,210 | $107,945 | 1,920 |
| 20 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $160,100 | $98,360–$307,930 | $107,162 | 4,600 |
| 21 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $160,090 | $128,750–$188,370 | $107,155 | 0 |
| 22 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $146,030 | $79,610–$292,160 | $97,744 | 29,370 |
| 23 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $140,210 | $98,130–$202,430 | $93,849 | 4,930 |
| 24 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $137,430 | $75,800–$209,600 | $91,988 | 2,260 |
| 25 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $136,120 | $60,210–$205,060 | $91,111 | 10,710 |
| 26 | Web Developer | Technology | $133,760 | $60,580–$217,800 | $89,531 | 10,330 |
| 27 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $133,740 | $127,620–$162,850 | $89,518 | 3,500 |
| 28 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $133,690 | $74,470–$197,600 | $89,485 | 19,050 |
| 29 | Database Architect | Technology | $133,180 | $71,080–$181,520 | $89,143 | 1,010 |
| 30 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $131,210 | $88,820–$178,710 | $87,825 | 4,590 |
| 31 | Web Designer | Technology | $130,440 | $81,190–$176,750 | $87,309 | 3,470 |
| 32 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $129,690 | $74,880–$210,190 | $86,807 | 6,650 |
| 33 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $128,350 | $108,560–$143,010 | $85,910 | 170 |
| 34 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $128,260 | $99,020–$163,890 | $85,850 | 39,900 |
| 35 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $126,590 | $81,730–$172,490 | $84,732 | 4,500 |
| 36 | Management Analyst | Management | $126,340 | $78,820–$201,310 | $84,565 | 16,930 |
| 37 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $124,790 | $80,880–$177,940 | $83,527 | 6,170 |
| 38 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $122,230 | $74,710–$208,830 | $81,814 | 210 |
| 39 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $116,480 | $82,140–$161,760 | $77,965 | 7,680 |
| 40 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $114,540 | $57,860–$435,040 | $76,667 | 3,940 |
| 41 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $109,860 | $83,650–$138,050 | $73,534 | 2,020 |
| 42 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $108,690 | $85,190–$134,920 | $72,751 | 1,910 |
| 43 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $107,290 | $64,790–$144,960 | $71,814 | 2,950 |
| 44 | Statistician | Technology | $105,650 | $82,240–$167,840 | $70,716 | 2,560 |
| 45 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $104,610 | $61,660–$191,270 | $70,020 | 2,320 |
| 46 | Network Architect | Technology | $104,440 | $73,000–$165,160 | $69,906 | 5,530 |
| 47 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $102,930 | $70,070–$165,870 | $68,896 | 2,110 |
| 48 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $102,920 | $67,550–$131,990 | $68,889 | 14,560 |
| 49 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $102,670 | $61,140–$132,300 | $68,722 | 7,720 |
| 50 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $102,170 | $59,050–$184,640 | $68,387 | 18,030 |
| 51 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $101,930 | $59,850–$274,890 | $68,226 | 630 |
| 52 | Electrician | Trades | $101,780 | $55,690–$151,290 | $68,126 | 9,750 |
| 53 | Architect | Engineering | $100,610 | $73,840–$130,490 | $67,343 | 2,970 |
| 54 | Accountant | Finance | $99,370 | $73,250–$160,640 | $66,513 | 22,100 |
| 55 | Writer/Author | Creative | $98,730 | $60,540–$136,720 | $66,084 | 520 |
| 56 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $96,000 | $62,330–$146,220 | $64,257 | 3,980 |
| 57 | Plumber | Trades | $95,230 | $51,930–$153,500 | $63,742 | 6,350 |
| 58 | Paralegal | Legal | $92,900 | $59,320–$119,820 | $62,182 | 6,310 |
| 59 | Loan Officer | Finance | $83,720 | $38,040–$164,570 | $56,037 | 3,110 |
| 60 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $78,170 | $49,180–$123,660 | $52,323 | 4,610 |
| 61 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $76,720 | $51,660–$125,220 | $51,352 | 2,710 |
| 62 | Carpenter | Trades | $76,410 | $58,090–$123,750 | $51,145 | 14,970 |
| 63 | Welder | Trades | $66,240 | $50,270–$89,630 | $44,337 | 3,230 |
| 64 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $59,290 | $43,750–$99,190 | $39,685 | 6,860 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Seattle, WA
Seattle, WA's top of the pay distribution is driven by Amazon and Microsoft headquarters and a deep cloud-computing employer base. Outside tech, healthcare and aerospace (Boeing) anchor strong middle-of-distribution pay.
An average median salary above $90K places this metro in the top tier of U.S. cities for nominal pay. Most of that premium accrues to the upper percentiles of skilled and managerial occupations; entry-level and service-sector pay is closer to national norms.
Seattle, WA's cost-of-living index of 149.4 runs 49% above the U.S. national average. Housing is the dominant driver; transportation and services are also above-average. The COL-Adjusted column rebases each salary to a national-average baseline, which is the apples-to-apples comparison when you are weighing offers across metros.
How to Use This Ranking
For salary negotiation, the median is a starting anchor — not the ceiling. A Obstetrician/Gynecologist with five-plus years of experience in Seattle, WA should be benchmarking against the 75th percentile ($490,405) or 90th percentile ($637,670), not the $343,140 median. Use the salary percentile calculator to place any specific salary into the BLS distribution for any role-and-city pair.
For cross-city comparisons, ignore the nominal Median column and look at COL-Adjusted. A $343K Obstetrician/Gynecologist salary in Seattle, WA (COL 149.4) translates to $230K of buying power in an average-cost metro — that is the apples-to-apples figure when weighing a relocation. Read the methodology behind these adjustments in our methodology page.
For job hunting, focus on the top-10 ranking above and on the role-by-role detail pages — each links through to a Obstetrician/Gynecologist in Seattle, WA page with full percentile breakdowns, year-over-year change, and prevailing-wage references for H-1B / PERM applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Seattle, WA is Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a median salary of $343,140 and a 90th-percentile reading of $637,670. The role employs roughly 150 workers in this metro according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2025 OEWS data.
53 of the 64 BLS-tracked occupations in Seattle, WA have a median salary of $100,000 or higher. That is well above what most U.S. metros offer. See the full list ranked by median salary above.
Across 64 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Seattle, WA is $135,684. The cost-of-living index is 149.4, so adjusted to a national-average baseline, the average is $90,819 in equivalent purchasing power.
Seattle, WA offers high nominal salaries — the average median is $135,684 — but the cost of living index of 149.4 consumes a meaningful share of that premium. The COL-adjusted average is $90,819, which is the right comparison when weighing offers in lower-cost metros.
Every wage figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers across all industries. The OEWS publishes 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile wages by Metropolitan Statistical Area and Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. The same data is used by the Department of Labor for prevailing wage determinations.
Related Pages
Rankings based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025 reference period. COL adjustments use a composite cost-of-living index calibrated to U.S. average = 100.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.