Bookkeeper salary in Seattle, WA
Median pay, Seattle metro
$60,460/year
about $29.07 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $51,480 – $69,980
Half of bookkeepers in the Seattle metro area earn more than $60,460 a year and half earn less. That's 19% higher than the national median of $50,670, and ranks #5 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| 25th | $51,480 | $24.75 |
| Median (50th) | $60,460 | $29.07 |
| 75th | $69,980 | $33.64 |
| 90th (top earners) | $79,330 | $38.14 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a bookkeeper job in the Seattle metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $51,480 ($24.75/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $51,480 to $69,980 ($24.75 to $33.64/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $69,980 ($33.64/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Ask which software you'd use (QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite). Experience with it can support a higher offer.
- Full-charge bookkeepers who handle everything through month-end close usually earn more than clerks.
- Part-time and contract bookkeeping is common, so compare by hourly rate.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Seattle metro. Occupation: Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks (SOC 43-3031). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.