Bellevue, Seattle Among Top U.S. Cities For Median Earnings

Full-time workers in Bellevue and Seattle were among the top earners in the U.S. in 2023, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s annual American Community Survey. Both cities ranked high when compared to other U.S. cities with at least 65,000 full-time workers.

Bellevue ranked second nationwide, with a median income of $132,500 for full-time workers. The only city to surpass Bellevue was Sunnyvale, California, with a median of $151,100. Bellevue wasn’t alone on the Eastside—Kirkland ranked sixth, with a median income of $116,300.

Seattle also posted strong numbers, ranking 14th overall and second among the 50 largest U.S. cities. Full-time workers in Seattle earned a median income of $100,955 in 2023, marking the first time Seattle’s median income exceeded six figures.

The Census Bureau’s data focuses solely on income from employment, excluding public assistance, rental income, and other non-wage sources, and measures individual, not household, earnings.

Further breakdowns of Seattle’s income data reveal notable trends. The highest median income came from mathematical and computer occupations, at $164,900, followed by legal professions at $138,300 and management roles at $125,800.

Gender disparities in earnings were also evident. Male full-time workers in Seattle earned a median of $111,600, while female workers earned $90,300. One contributing factor: men hold three out of four high-paying tech jobs in the city.

While Seattle’s overall earnings are strong, a significant portion of workers earn less. About 16% of full-time workers make under $53,800 per year, and around a third—115,400 people—fall into the $50,000 to $99,999 range.

This post was based on information found on The Seattle Times