Salary guide · US
Software Engineer salary in Seattle: can you afford rent?
A Software Engineer in Seattle typically earns $110,000–$300,000/year, with a median around $175,000/year. Median 1-bedroom rent is $2,300/month.
Affordability verdict
At a typical Software Engineer salary of $175,000/year, spending on median Seattle rent ($2,300/mo) would take up 16% of gross income. That's within the recommended 30% threshold — a comfortable situation.
Software Engineer salary range in Seattle
$110,000
Entry level
lower quartile
$175,000
Typical
median estimate
$300,000
Experienced
upper quartile
Software engineers design, build, and maintain applications and systems software. Figures are gross annual salary estimates for Seattle.
How much rent can a Software Engineer afford?
Rent landscape in Seattle
$1,300
Budget
cheapest 10%
$2,300
Median
most common
$4,000
Premium
top 10%
1-bedroom equivalent. US Census ACS 2023 + Zillow Observed Rent Index · 2023–2024
Frequently asked questions
What does a Software Engineer earn in Seattle?
A Software Engineer in Seattle typically earns between $110,000 and $300,000/year, with a median around $175,000/year. Salaries vary by experience, employer, and sector.
Can a Software Engineer afford to live in Seattle?
At a typical Software Engineer salary of $175,000/year, median Seattle rent ($2,300/month) takes up 16% of gross income — within the recommended 30% threshold. Budget options in Seattle start around $1,300/month.
How much rent can a Software Engineer afford in Seattle?
On a median Software Engineer salary of $175,000/year, the recommended 30% rent budget is $4,375/month. Compared to Seattle's median rent of $2,300/month, this means median-priced accommodation is within reach.
Other professions in Seattle
Software Engineer salary in other cities