Risk Analyst.
Seattle.
$121,000
median salary, 27% above the national average
$92,000 to $160,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Risk Analyst offer in Seattle, WA, here is the reality: $92,000 to $160,000, with $121,000 as the midpoint. 27% above the national average. Risk domain specialization and quantitative skill depth drive salary variance. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $109,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$79,000
to $97,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$103,000
to $127,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$133,000
to $157,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$151,000
to $188,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $31,000 to the total package.
Base
$121,000
Equity
$18,000
Bonus
$11,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $152,000
How Seattle compares
Seattle, WA
$121,000
Cost of living: 24% above average
National Average
$95,000
Seattle is $26,000 above
Risk Analyst salary by city
Salary by role in Seattle
What you should know
Here is what the Risk Analyst market actually looks like in Seattle. Seattle is home to Amazon, Microsoft, and a dense cluster of cloud computing, gaming, and AI companies. The presence of major tech headquarters drives some of the highest engineering salaries outside the Bay Area. Seattle's job market is particularly strong for cloud infrastructure, machine learning, and enterprise software roles. Risk domain specialization and quantitative skill depth drive salary variance. Market risk and credit risk analysts at large banks earn 15 to 25% more than operational risk analysts. Proficiency in Python, R, SAS, and Monte Carlo simulation techniques separates higher-paid analysts from those using primarily spreadsheet-based approaches.
Junior risk analysts start at $62,000 to $78,000. Mid-level risk analysts earn $85,000 to $115,000. Senior risk analysts and team leads reach $115,000 to $150,000. Risk managers earn $140,000 to $190,000, with chief risk officers at large institutions commanding $250,000 to $500,000. In Seattle, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 24% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. Annual bonuses of 10 to 25% are standard, with banking sector risk analysts earning the highest variable pay. Total compensation at bulge bracket banks can reach $130,000 to $180,000 for mid-level analysts. Some firms offer deferred compensation tied to risk management outcomes. And on the tax side: washington State has no personal income tax, which significantly boosts take home pay. However, state and local sales taxes are among the highest in the country at roughly 10.25%. When someone quotes you $121,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Remind employers that no state income tax makes your effective compensation higher. You can accept a slightly lower gross salary and still take home more than in California. The range for Risk Analysts in Seattle runs from $92,000 to $160,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Chemical Engineer in Seattle earns $120,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Seattle is Chief AI Officer at $377,000
Common questions.
Risk Analyst salary in other cities
Other salaries in Seattle
Related
Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
Want this data on your site? Embed the salary widget — one script tag, free forever.