Teach university courses, conduct research, and publish academic scholarship. Median salary in Bellevue: $158K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Figures represent annual base salary in Bellevue, Washington. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →
Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.
University Professors in Bellevue earn approximately 76% higher than the US national median for this role — a $68,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Bellevue's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.
Washington has no state income tax, which is worth roughly $14,694 per year at this salary level compared to a California University Professor on the same gross pay. A Bellevue University Professor would need to earn $174,201 in California to net the same take-home.
Average 1-bedroom rent in Bellevue ($2,800/mo) consumes approximately 30% of an after-tax median University Professor salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($228K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.
Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $170K by 2030.
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The median University Professor salary in Bellevue, WA is $158,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Bellevue–WA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.
Entry-level University Professors in Bellevue with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $114,000 and $158,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $158,000 to $228,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $228,000 to $333,000 or more.
Bellevue has a cost of living index of 175 compared to the US national average of 100. Bellevue's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. Crucially, Washington has no state income tax — giving Bellevue-based University Professors an immediate 3–5% take-home pay advantage over workers in states like California (9.3%) or New York (6.85%).
PhD in relevant field required. 30% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.