Can An Electrician Afford Rent in Seattle, WA?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 34.1% of gross income.
Seattle rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Washington state estimate).
About rent and an electrician salary
Electrician pay is competitive with many four-year-degree occupations and covers comfortable rent across most US metros. Union journeymen in high-cost cities often earn well above the BLS mean once overtime and benefits are counted, which expands affordability further. At the national-average electrician salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,748 a month in rent. The per-city pages show where rent stays in range and where it begins to pinch.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Washington cities have lower median rent than Seattle, which improves the affordability math on an electrician salary:
Compare with full rent data for Seattle
View full rent data for Seattle, WA →Frequently asked questions
Can an electrician afford rent in Seattle, WA?
Median rent in Seattle is $2,224 a month. A typical electrician in Washington earns about $78,288 a year, which makes that rent 34.1% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can an electrician afford in Seattle?
Using the 30% rule, an electrician salary in Washington (~$78,288/yr) supports up to $1,957 a month in rent. Seattle's current median rent is $2,224/mo, which is $267/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does an electrician work to cover rent in Seattle?
At an hourly equivalent of about $38 an hour, an electrician in Washington works roughly 59.1 hours a month to cover Seattle's median rent of $2,224.
Where is rent cheaper than Seattle for an electrician?
Nearby Washington cities with lower median rent include Monroe ($2,222/mo), Kenmore ($2,221/mo), Camas ($2,220/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an electrician salary.