Mental HealthUpdated Q1 2026No state income tax

Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) Salary
in Seattle, WA

Provide individual and family therapy for mental health and relationship issues. Median salary in Seattle: $76K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$76K
per year
Take-home: $53K

Salary range in Seattle

Entry level (25th)$59,000
Median (50th)$76,000
Senior (75th)$100,000
Top earner (90th)$132,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Seattle, Washington. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Seattle

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

23% premium vs national median

Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC)s in Seattle earn approximately 23% higher than the US national median for this role β€” a $14,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Seattle's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Seattle's cost-of-living index (150), the median Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) salary buys the equivalent of $50,667 in a US-average-cost city. That's $11,333 less purchasing power than the national median β€” the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.

No state income tax β€” $7K effective edge

Washington has no state income tax, which is worth roughly $7,068 per year at this salary level compared to a California Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) on the same gross pay. A Seattle Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) would need to earn $83,793 in California to net the same take-home.

Key facts for Seattle

Median salary
$76K
annual
Take-home pay
$53K
after fed/state tax
COL index
150
100 = US avg
State income tax
None
no-tax state
Avg 1BR rent
$2,200
per month
YoY growth
+5.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Seattle Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $76K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Seattle

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

HistoricalProjected
Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$64K$70K$75K$81K$86K201920212023202520272029
2026
$78K
projected
2027
$80K
projected
2028
$82K
projected
2029
$84K
projected
2030
$86K
projected

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

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$76,000+$0
2028 projected$76,000+$0
2029 projected$76,000+$0
2030 projected$76,000+$0

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

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Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) Salary in Seattle, Washington: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) salary in Seattle, WA is $76,000 per year as of Q1 2026. 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 Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) in Seattle

Entry-level Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC)s in Seattle with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $59,000 and $76,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $76,000 to $100,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $100,000 to $132,000 or more.

Cost of living in Seattle for Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC)s

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 β€” giving Seattle-based Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC)s an immediate 3–5% take-home pay advantage over workers in states like California (9.3%) or New York (6.85%).

Education requirements for Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC)

Master's in Counseling; LMFT or LPC license. This role is 55% remote-eligible nationally, which can significantly expand the job market for Seattle-based professionals.

Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Seattle (current)$76K150
Spokane$60K95
Tacoma$68K128
Vancouver$73K118
Bellevue$109K175
Kirkland$100K162