EngineeringUpdated Q1 2025No state income tax

Civil Engineer Salary
in Seattle, WA

Design and oversee construction of infrastructure including roads, bridges, and buildings. Median salary in Seattle: $113K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$113K
per year
Take-home: $79K

Salary range in Seattle

Entry level (25th)$85,000
Median (50th)$113,000
Senior (75th)$148,000
Top earner (90th)$188,000

Source: BLS OES 2026, H-1B DOL Disclosures Q1 2026. Figures represent annual base salary in Seattle, Washington.

Key facts for Seattle

Median salary
$113K
annual
Take-home pay
$79K
after fed/state tax
COL index
150
100 = US avg
State income tax
None
Texas advantage!
Avg 1BR rent
$2,200
per month
YoY growth
+3.4%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Seattle Civil Engineer to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $136K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Seattle

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Civil Engineer salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$95K$105K$116K$126K$136K201920212023202520272029
2026
$117K
projected
2027
$122K
projected
2028
$126K
projected
2029
$131K
projected
2030
$136K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$122,000+$9,000
2028 projected$126,000+$13,000
2029 projected$131,000+$18,000
2030 projected$136,000+$23,000

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Civil Engineer Salary in Seattle, Washington: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Civil Engineer salary in Seattle, WA is $113,000 per year as of Q1 2025. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Seattle–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.

Salary range for Civil Engineer in Seattle

Entry-level Civil Engineers in Seattle with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $85,000 and $113,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $113,000 to $148,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $148,000 to $188,000 or more.

Cost of living in Seattle for Civil Engineers

Seattle has a cost of living index of 150 compared to the US national average of 100. Seattle'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 Seattle-based Civil Engineers an immediate 3–5% take-home pay advantage over workers in states like California (9.3%) or New York (6.85%).

Education requirements for Civil Engineer

Bachelor's in Civil Engineering; PE license. 25% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Civil Engineer salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Seattle (current)$113K150
Spokane95
Tacoma128
Vancouver118
Bellevue175
Kirkland162