Cost of hiring a bookkeeper in Seattle-Tacoma, WA
Bookkeepers earn more in Seattle-Tacoma than anywhere else in Washington. Expect a median of $60,460 a year[1], 3.1% above the Washington statewide median of $58,620 and 19.3% above the US median of $50,670. Only 12 of 521 US areas pay more for this job. With about 17,860 bookkeepers, 54% of the Washington total, no area in Washington employs more.
BLS occupation 43-3031, area Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Seattle-Tacoma against Washington and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma, WA | $47,720 | $60,460 | $79,330 | |
| Washington | $45,070 | $58,620 | $77,630 | |
| United States | $36,000 | $50,670 | $74,550 |
The middle half of bookkeepers in Seattle-Tacoma earns $51,480–$69,980. Pay is tightly grouped: the top tenth starts at $79,330, only 1.7 times the bottom tenth, against 2.1 times across the US, so the going rate is easier to read.
What to budget for a bookkeeper here
| Point in the local range | Per year | Per month | Per hour | Employer cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,720 | $3,977 | $22.94 | $68,171 |
| 25th percentile | $51,480 | $4,290 | $24.75 | $73,543 |
| Median | $60,460 | $5,038 | $29.07 | $86,371 |
| 75th percentile | $69,980 | $5,832 | $33.64 | $99,971 |
| 90th percentile | $79,330 | $6,611 | $38.14 | $113,329 |
An offer at the 75th percentile instead of the median adds $9,520 a year in pay and about $13,600 in employer cost. Going down to the 25th percentile saves $8,980 in pay. These percentiles describe what people in the job earn locally, not experience levels, so place your offer by the tasks and seniority you need.
What a hire really costs in Seattle-Tacoma
At the $60,460 median, a local hire costs about $86,371 a year: benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], about $25,911 here. Recruiting, equipment and office space come on top. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for bookkeepers we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Other roles in Seattle-Tacoma
Of the 17 roles we track in Seattle-Tacoma, this one ranks #10 by median pay. Project Coordinator is the highest at $130,380 and Virtual Receptionist the lowest at $45,820.
| Role | Median | vs bookkeeper | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +115.6% | 26,910 | |
| Marketing Specialist | +69.0% | 18,030 | |
| Accountant | +64.4% | 22,100 | |
| Paralegal | +53.7% | 6,310 | |
| Recruiter | +53.4% | 14,120 | |
| Sales Development Representative | +36.5% | 12,450 | |
| Office Manager | +35.0% | 18,020 | |
| Executive Assistant | +33.7% | 7,370 | |
| Payroll Specialist | +10.2% | 1,980 | |
| Bookkeeper | this role | 17,860 | |
| HR Assistant | -0.1% | 1,480 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -0.2% | 6,420 | |
| Administrative Assistant | -0.4% | 15,780 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -11.4% | 25,840 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | -18.3% | n/a | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -22.3% | 760 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -24.2% | 14,260 |
Other areas in Washington
Across the 13 areas of Washington with data for this job, the median runs from $51,410 in Walla Walla to $60,460 in Seattle-Tacoma, a gap of $9,050 a year.
| Area | Median | vs Seattle-Tacoma | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma, WA | this area | 17,860 | |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | -2.4% | 560 | |
| Bremerton-Silverdale, WA | -3.1% | 780 | |
| Western Washington (Nonmetro) | -3.9% | 1,710 | |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | -5.2% | 1,070 | |
| Bellingham, WA | -5.7% | 1,140 | |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | -6.4% | 490 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire a bookkeeper in Seattle-Tacoma, WA?
About $86,371 a year at the median, or $7,198 a month: $60,460 in pay plus benefits and payroll taxes at the 30% share of total compensation in US private industry (June 2026). Recruiting, equipment and office space are extra.
What do bookkeepers earn in Seattle-Tacoma?
The median was $60,460 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $47,720, the 90th $79,330, and the middle half earned $51,480 to $69,980.
Is Seattle-Tacoma the most expensive area in Washington for bookkeepers?
Yes. Its median of $60,460 is the highest of 13 areas in Washington. Mount Vernon-Anacortes comes next at $59,020.
How many bookkeepers work in Seattle-Tacoma?
BLS counts about 17,860 in the May 2025 survey. That is 54% of the Washington total of 32,930.
Does a bookkeeper cost more than an HR assistant in Seattle-Tacoma?
Yes: $40 a year more at the median. The medians are $60,460 and $60,420.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 43-3031: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes433031.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-06.