Accountant in Redmond, WA

The Salary Picture: Where Redmond Stands

As a local who’s watched the Eastside’s economic landscape shift from farmlands to a tech-fueled powerhouse, I can tell you that accounting in Redmond is a different beast than in Seattle or Tacoma. It’s a market defined by a concentration of mid-to-large-sized tech companies, family-owned manufacturing firms, and the retail giants that support them. The pay reflects this specialized demand.

The median salary for an Accountant in Redmond is $89,437/year, which translates to an hourly rate of $43.0/hour. This sits slightly above the national average of $86,080/year, a premium that’s justified by the area’s cost of living and the specific skill sets local employers demand. With approximately 160 accountant jobs actively circulating in the metro area at any given time, the market is competitive but not oversaturated. The 10-year job growth projection is 4%, which, while modest, suggests a stable, consistent demand rather than a boom-and-bust cycle.

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience level in the Redmond market:

Experience Level	Typical Years of Experience	Estimated Salary Range	Key Responsibilities in Redmond
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$65,000 - $78,000	AP/AR processing, payroll support, basic journal entries for local tech startups or retail chains.
Mid-Level	3-7 years	$80,000 - $98,000	Month-end close, financial reporting, internal controls, managing teams for local manufacturing firms.
Senior	8-15 years	$95,000 - $120,000+	Technical accounting (ASC 606), audit liaison, process improvement, FP&A for mid-sized tech companies.
Expert/Managerial	15+ years	$125,000 - $160,000+	Director-level roles, technical accounting research, managing accounting teams for public companies (e.g., at T-Mobile).

How Redmond Compares to Other WA Cities:

• Seattle: Higher salaries (median ~$95k) but significantly higher competition and commute times. Seattle roles often require a CPA for senior positions.
• Bellevue: Very similar to Redmond, often a direct competitor for talent. Bellevue has more traditional corporate headquarters (e.g., Expedia, Puget Sound Energy).
• Tacoma/Olympia: Lower salaries (median ~$78k) but a dramatically lower cost of living. A good option for those prioritizing affordability over tech-sector premiums.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s be brutally honest about the math. The median salary of $89,437 is a solid number, but Redmond’s cost of living is 13% above the national average (Index: 113.0). The biggest bite will come from housing.

For an Accountant earning the median, here’s a realistic monthly budget breakdown (assuming a single filer, standard deductions, and WA’s lack of state income tax):

• Gross Monthly Income: $7,453
• Federal Taxes/SS/Medicare (est.): -$1,525
• Take-Home Pay: ~$5,928
• Average 1BR Rent: -$1,864
• Utilities, Internet, Phone: -$200
• Car Payment/Insurance/Gas: -$450 (Redmond is car-dependent)
• Groceries & Essentials: -$450
• Healthcare (post-employer contribution): -$150
• Discretionary/Entertainment: -$800
• Savings/Retirement (10%): -$745

Can you afford to buy a home? The median home price in Redmond is approximately $950,000. With a 20% down payment ($190,000), your mortgage, taxes, and insurance would easily top $5,000/month. On a single $89,437 salary, that’s not feasible without significant savings, a dual-income household, or a promotion to a senior role. Most mid-level accountants I know either rent long-term or buy in more affordable neighboring cities like Shoreline or Kent and commute.

Insider Tip: Many local employers offer robust commuter benefits (e.g., pre-tax ORCA cards, EV charging subsidies). Always ask about these during interviews—they can add $100-$200/month to your effective income.

Where the Jobs Are: Redmond's Major Employers

Redmond’s job market is unique. You won’t find the Big 4 in massive numbers, but you will find a high concentration of in-house roles at established companies. Here are the key players:

1. T-Mobile (Headquarters - Bellevue/Redmond border): A top destination for accountants. They hire for everything from internal audit to technical accounting and financial reporting. Hiring is steady, often requiring a CPA for senior roles. They value process improvement and systems knowledge.
2. Microsoft (Redmond Campus): While many roles are technically in Bellevue, the campus is a massive employer. They hire accountants for their internal services division, focusing on cost accounting, vendor management, and financial planning. Competition is fierce; a CPA and advanced Excel/SQL skills are often baseline.
3. Seattle Genetics (Now Seagen, in Bothell, with a major Redmond presence): A biotech giant. Their finance teams are growing rapidly. They need accountants with experience in R&D accounting, grant management, and ASC 606 (revenue recognition for complex contracts).
4. Overlake Medical Center: The primary hospital system on the Eastside. They hire staff accountants, revenue cycle specialists, and financial analysts. These roles are more stable, with excellent benefits, but salaries may be slightly below tech-sector averages.
5. Local Manufacturing & Tech (e.g., Genie Industries [now Terex], Smartsheet, Auth0 [now Okta]): These mid-sized companies are the backbone of Redmond’s accounting job market. They offer a "best of both worlds" environment: competitive pay (often in the $80k-$95k range for mid-level), less bureaucracy than a public company, and a chance to wear multiple hats.
6. Government & Education: The City of Redmond and Lake Washington School District are consistent employers for public sector accountants. These roles emphasize compliance, grants, and budgeting, offering great job security and pension plans.

Hiring Trends: There’s a growing demand for accountants who are not just number-crunchers but business partners. Familiarity with ERP systems (like NetSuite, SAP, or Microsoft Dynamics) and data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI) is becoming a must-have, not a nice-to-have.

Getting Licensed in WA

Washington State has clear requirements for licensure, managed by the Washington State Board of Accountancy (WSBA). If you’re aiming for a CPA license, here’s your roadmap:

1. Education: You need a bachelor’s degree (150 semester hours) with a concentration in accounting. Most candidates opt for a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) to hit the 150-hour requirement. Local universities like the University of Washington (Foster School of Business) and Seattle University have excellent, well-regarded programs.
2. Exam: Pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam. The cost for the exam and application is approximately $1,000 - $1,500 total.
3. Experience: Washington requires one year (2,000 hours) of accounting experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA. This can be in public accounting, industry, government, or academia.
4. Ethics: Pass the AICPA Professional Ethics Exam.
5. Cost & Timeline: Plan for $2,000 - $3,000 in total costs (exam fees, study materials, application fees). The timeline is typically 12-18 months from starting education to full licensure. You can start working as an "Accountant" without a CPA, but the license is crucial for advancement to manager and controller roles.

Insider Tip: Washington is a "two-tier" state. You can be a "CPA Candidate" while you complete your experience, which allows you to put "CPA Candidate" on your resume after passing the exam, which helps in job searches.

Best Neighborhoods for Accountants

Where you live affects your commute, lifestyle, and budget. Here are top picks for accountants:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Why It's a Good Fit
Downtown Redmond	Walkable, urban. 10-min drive to Microsoft.	$2,100	Live where you work. Great for young professionals who want a social scene and short commute.
Overlake	Suburban, family-oriented. 5-15 min to most employers.	$1,900	More affordable than downtown, with easy access to Overlake Hospital and major tech offices.
Education Hill	Quiet, established. 15-20 min commute.	$1,800	Excellent public schools (Lake Washington SD). Ideal for accountants with families seeking a classic suburban setting.
Rose Hill (Kirkland)	Central Eastside hub. 10-25 min commute via I-405.	$1,950	A great compromise between Kirkland's amenities and Redmond's job market. Close to Totem Lake Mall redevelopment.
Juanita (Kirkland)	Lakeside, affluent. 20-30 min commute.	$2,000	For those who prioritize lifestyle (Lake Washington access, trails) and can afford a premium.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year job growth of 4% indicates that growth will come from specialization and promotion, not an influx of new roles. To maximize your earning potential:

• Specialty Premiums: Accountants with SEC Reporting experience can command a 15-20% premium. Technical Accounting (ASC 606, 842 for leases) is highly valued. FP&A (Financial Planning & Analysis) roles are often the bridge to executive leadership and can pay $110k+ for mid-senior levels.
• Advancement Paths: The classic path is Staff Accountant -> Senior Accountant -> Accounting Manager -> Controller. In Redmond’s tech scene, a parallel path exists: Accountant -> Financial Analyst -> Senior FP&A Manager -> Director of Finance.
• 10-Year Outlook: Automation will handle more transactional work (AP/AR, data entry), so future-proofing your career means leaning into analysis, interpretation, and business partnering. The median salary could creep toward $95,000 - $100,000 for experienced professionals as demand for strategic skills increases.

The Verdict: Is Redmond Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Above-average salaries in a stable job market.	Very high cost of living, especially housing.
Diverse employer base (tech, biotech, healthcare, retail).	Car-dependent city with I-405 traffic congestion.
Strong professional network on the Eastside.	Fewer "big name" public accounting firms for exit opportunities.
High quality of life with outdoor recreation (Marymoor Park, Sammamish River Trail).	Competitive schools can create pressure on family budgets.
No state income tax, boosting your take-home pay.	Social scene can feel suburban compared to Capitol Hill or Belltown.

Final Recommendation: Redmond is an excellent choice for mid-career accountants (3-10 years experience) seeking to break into the tech sector or biotech without the extreme competition of downtown Seattle. It’s ideal for those who value stability, outdoor access, and a family-friendly environment. If you’re early-career and seeking nightlife, or if you’re on a tight budget, you may find more affordable options in Tacoma or Olympia, though at the cost of salary and proximity to major employers.

FAQs

1. Is a CPA required for a good job in Redmond?
Not always, but it’s a major advantage. For staff and senior accountant roles in industry, it’s often optional. However, for Accounting Manager, Controller, or Director positions, especially at public companies like T-Mobile, a CPA is typically a requirement or a strong preference.

2. How competitive is the job market for entry-level accountants?
It’s competitive but manageable. With your bachelor’s degree and strong Excel skills, you can find roles in AP/AR or staff accounting. The key is tailoring your resume to the local employers (mentioning ERP systems, process improvement). Internships at local companies like Smartsheet or Genie are golden tickets.

3. What’s the commute like from Seattle or Bellevue?
From Seattle (via I-5/I-405 or SR-520), expect a 30-60 minute commute each way, heavily dependent on traffic. From Bellevue, it’s a much easier 15-25 minute drive. Many accountants I know live in Seattle’s northern neighborhoods (Wallingford, Green Lake) to split the difference.

4. Are there opportunities for remote or hybrid work?
Yes, but hybrid is more common than fully remote. Post-pandemic, most Redmond-based employers (including Microsoft and T-Mobile) have adopted hybrid models, typically 2-3 days in the office. Fully remote roles are more common at startups or for companies with a distributed workforce.

5. What’s the best way to network locally?
Join the Washington Society of CPAs (WSCPA) and attend their Eastside chapter meetings. The Tech Finance & Accounting Meetup group is also very active. LinkedIn is powerful here—search for "Finance Manager Redmond" and connect with people at your target companies. A casual coffee can lead to a referral.

Data sources referenced: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Washington State Board of Accountancy, Zillow Rental Data, Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) Cost of Living Index.