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2026 Salary Data — Seattle, WA
Updated April 28, 2026

Physician Salary in Seattle: $303K Median

Physicians in Seattle, WA earn between $231K and $528K per year.

That's +32% above the US national median of $229,300 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Physician salary in Seattle, WA is $302,676 per year — +32% above the US national median of $229,300. Salaries range from $231,000 (entry, 25th percentile) to $528,000 (90th percentile). Physicians in Seattle earned approximately $45,860 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$302,676
+560.0% YoY · $25,223/mo
Entry
$264,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$462,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$528,000
Senior/lead
Physician Salary — Seattle vs Nearby
Seattle
$303K
Boston
$298K
+2% vs Seattle
San Diego
$271K
+12% vs Seattle
Los Angeles
$294K
+3% vs Seattle

Free ATS scan · Seattle employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Physicians in Seattle

Physicians diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and provide preventive care. Specialties range widely in compensation.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient diagnosis and treatment
  • Order tests and prescriptions
  • Document patient records
  • Coordinate care
  • Lead medical teams

Education & Certifications

Typical path: MD/DO + residency (3-7 years)

In-demand certifications

MD or DOBoard certificationState medical licenseDEA registration

Seattle Job Market

Major tech hub home to Amazon, Microsoft, and growing biotech sector.

Population
750K
Cost of Living
165
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4%
Median Home
$850K

Top Industries in Seattle

Tech (Amazon, Microsoft)Aerospace (Boeing)HealthcareMaritime

Top Employers Hiring Physicians

Major employers active in Seattle or hiring remotely from this metro.

Mayo Clinic
Cleveland Clinic
Kaiser Permanente
Johns Hopkins
HCA Healthcare
Veterans Health

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Physician listings.

TelemedicineAI-assisted diagnosisConcierge medicineSpecialty practiceEHR efficiency

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

MDboard certifiedpatient careEHR (Epic)clinical researchspecialtyresidency
Career Outlook
+4% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Physician demand strong with growing US population. Specialties like radiology, anesthesiology, and orthopedics paying $400K+.

Physician Salary Breakdown — Seattle

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$231,000$302,676$528,000
Monthly$19,250$25,223$44,000
Weekly$4,442$5,821$10,154
Hourly$111$146$254

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($229,300) adjusted for Seattle's cost-of-living multiplier (1.32×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Physician Take-Home Pay in Seattle

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$216,995.148
Per month$18,083
Biweekly paycheck$8,346
Effective tax rate28.3%

Tax Breakdown on $302,676

Gross salary$302,676
Federal income tax−$70,373.85
Washington state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$15,307.002
Take-home (net)$216,995.148

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Physician Salary by Experience — Seattle

Career-stage progression for Physicians in Seattle.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$242,880
2–3 yr$264,000
4–6 yr$363,000
7–10 yr$462,000
11–15 yr$545,160
15+ yr$495,000

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Seattle's 1.32× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$45,860
2026 median:$302,676
Change:+$256,816

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Telemedicine and AI-assisted diagnosis.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$183,440
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Physician Salary in Seattle

Walk-away anchor: $275,160 (offers below this are below market for Seattle).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $462K–$528K for experienced roles, citing Seattle market data and your specific Telemedicine/AI-assisted diagnosis expertise.

Physician Salary FAQ — Seattle

What is the average Physician salary in Seattle, WA?
The average Physician salary in Seattle is $302,676 per year as of April 2026 — $25,223/month, $5,821/week, or about $146/hour. Salaries range from $231,000 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $528,000 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Seattle's cost-of-living multiplier (1.32×).
Is $302,676 a good Physician salary in Seattle?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Seattle's cost-of-living index is 165 (vs 100 nationally), giving $302,676 a real purchasing power of approximately $183,440 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $302,676 in Seattle?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Seattle specifically (median home price $850,000), a $302,676 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $302,676 enough for a single person in Seattle?
A single adult in Seattle typically needs ~$74,250 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $302,676 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $302,676 enough for a couple in Seattle?
A couple (one earner) in Seattle typically needs ~$118,800 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $302,676 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $302,676 each ($605,352 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $302,676 enough for a family of 4 in Seattle?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Seattle typically needs ~$181,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $302,676 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — a family of 4 can afford this metro on a single Physician income with prudent budgeting. Childcare costs in Seattle typically run $25K-$46K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Physician in Seattle?
On a $302,676 Physician salary in Seattle, WA, you take home approximately $216,995.148 per year ($18,083/month, $8,346 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $70,373.85, state $0, FICA $15,307.002. Effective tax rate: 28.3%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Physicians in Seattle earn compared to the US average?
Physicians in Seattle earn approximately 32% more than the US national median for this role ($229,300 nationally vs $302,676 in Seattle). However, Seattle's cost-of-living index of 165 means real purchasing power is approximately $183,440 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Physician earn in Seattle?
Entry-level Physicians in Seattle typically start at around $264,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Physicians earn $462,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $528,000+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Physician salaries in Seattle increase in 2026?
Yes — Physician salaries in Seattle grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $45,860 in 2025 to $302,676 in 2026 (+$256,816). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Telemedicine and AI-assisted diagnosis demand.
What's the job outlook for Physicians in Seattle?
Physician demand strong with growing US population. Specialties like radiology, anesthesiology, and orthopedics paying $400K+. Seattle's top industries include Tech (Amazon, Microsoft), Aerospace (Boeing), Healthcare, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Physicians in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Physicians are: Telemedicine, AI-assisted diagnosis, Concierge medicine, Specialty practice, EHR efficiency. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Seattle.
Who are the top employers hiring Physicians in Seattle?
Top employers hiring Physicians in or near Seattle include: Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, Johns Hopkins, HCA Healthcare, Veterans Health. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Physician salary in Seattle?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Physician salary in Seattle?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Telemedicine, AI-assisted diagnosis, Concierge medicine) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., MD or DO or Board certification). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Physician in Seattle?
MD/DO + residency (3-7 years) is the typical path. However, Seattle's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Physician salary figures for Seattle are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($229,300) by Seattle's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.32× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Seattle

Nurse Practitioner →Pharmacist →Registered Nurse →Physical Therapist →Occupational Therapist →Dentist →

Physician Salary in Other Cities

New York, NY$310KLos Angeles, CA$294KWashington, DC$298KBoston, MA$298K

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