Legislators Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Legislators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA make a median of $125,960 a year. Entry-level workers start around $55K. (BLS did not publish a top-end figure for this area.) Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $113,345 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,501/month — about 30.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $126K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
About legislators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level legislators (10th percentile) start around $55K. Mid-career wages sit at $126K.BLS did not publish 90th percentile data for this occupation in this area (sample size too small).
Legislators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $109K | +144% | 1,300 |
| New York | $97K | +117% | 1,440 |
| Hawaii | $74K | +65% | 120 |
| Michigan | $73K | +63% | 410 |
| Wisconsin | $59K | +31% | 960 |
| Delaware | $58K | +30% | 90 |
| Maryland | $54K | +21% | 500 |
| California | $54K | +21% | 2,470 |
| Pennsylvania | $51K | +15% | 770 |
| Montana | $51K | +13% | 440 |
| Utah | $51K | +13% | 300 |
| Alaska | $50K | +12% | N/A |
| New Jersey | $48K | +7% | 420 |
| Virginia | $48K | +7% | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $47K | +6% | 370 |
Track legislators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do legislators make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $125,960 a year. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $54,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $126K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,071/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 31% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a legislators salary go in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median legislators salary is worth about $113,345 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do legislators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.