Financial Analyst in Everett, WA

The Salary Picture: Where Everett Stands

As a long-time Washington analyst who’s mapped the Puget Sound’s finance landscape, I can tell you this: Everett isn’t just Boeing’s backyard anymore. It’s a city with a quiet, growing financial services sector, anchored by a robust aerospace supply chain and a burgeoning healthcare economy. For Financial Analysts, this means a unique blend of corporate finance roles and specialized analytical positions you won’t find in Seattle’s saturated market.

Let’s talk numbers. The median salary for a Financial Analyst in Everett, WA is $102,871/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $49.46/hour. This places it slightly above the national average of $99,010/year. But here’s the local context that matters: the cost of living index sits at 113.0 (US avg = 100), meaning your dollar stretches about 13% less here than the national average. That median salary is a solid benchmark, but your actual take-home depends heavily on experience and the specific sector you target.

Experience-Level Breakdown (Everett-Specific Estimates)

Experience Level	Typical Years	Everett Salary Range	Key Local Employers for This Level
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$78,000 - $91,000	Local credit unions, small aerospace suppliers, regional healthcare clinics
Mid-Career	3-7 years	$95,000 - $118,000	Providence Regional Medical Center, Port of Everett, large manufacturing firms
Senior-Level	8-15 years	$120,000 - $145,000	Boeing (Sullivan Road plant), WA State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
Expert/Lead	15+ years	$150,000+	Executive roles at mid-sized firms, consulting for aerospace primes, senior government roles

How Everett Compares to Other WA Cities:

• Seattle: Salaries are higher (median ~$115,000), but so is the cost of living (152.5 index). The competition is fiercer, and the commute is a nightmare. In Everett, you trade some salary premium for a more manageable lifestyle and lower rent.
• Bellevue/Redmond: Tech-driven finance roles here can command $120,000+ for mid-career analysts, but you’re competing with Google and Microsoft for talent. The commute from Everett to the Eastside is brutal (I-405 traffic is a daily grind).
• Tacoma: Very similar to Everett in salary and cost of living. Tacoma’s port and manufacturing base create parallel opportunities, but Everett’s proximity to Seattle (via I-5) and the Boeing hub gives it a slight edge in aerospace finance roles.

Insider Tip: Don’t just look at the base salary. Everett’s aerospace sector often offers profit-sharing and annual bonuses ranging from 5-15% of base pay, which can push your total compensation above the median. Always ask about these specifics in interviews.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s be brutally practical. A $102,871 salary sounds great, but what does it mean for your bank account in Everett? We’ll use 2024 tax estimates (single filer, standard deduction, no dependents) for Washington State (note: WA has no state income tax, a major plus).

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Financial Analyst (Median Salary: $102,871)

Category	Monthly Amount	Notes & Local Reality
Gross Monthly Pay	$8,573	Before taxes/deductions
Federal Tax & FICA	-$1,815	Estimated (approx. 21.2% effective rate)
Net Monthly Pay	$6,758	Your take-home
Rent (1BR Average)	-$1,864	This is the citywide average.
Utilities (Elec/Gas/Water)	-$180	Everett’s rainy climate means higher heating costs in winter.
Groceries	-$450	Slightly above national average.
Transportation	-$350	Gas, insurance, maintenance. A car is essential here.
Healthcare/Insurance	-$300	Varies by employer, but this is a safe estimate.
Miscellaneous/Discretionary	-$1,200	This includes dining out, entertainment, savings, etc.
Remaining Buffer	$2,414	This is your savings/debt repayment/extra cash.

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?
Yes, but with caveats. The median home price in Everett is around $650,000 (as of early 2024). A 20% down payment is $130,000. Using a standard mortgage calculator with a 7% interest rate, your monthly P&I payment would be approximately $3,460. This is more than double the average rent.

Reality Check: On a $102,871 salary, a $3,460 mortgage payment would consume about 40% of your net monthly income, which is beyond the recommended 30% rule. This means homeownership is challenging on a single median income unless you have a significant down payment (closer to 30-40%) or a dual-income household. Renting, especially in more affordable neighborhoods, is the near-term reality for most. The $2,414 monthly buffer in the budget above is key—this allows you to aggressively save for a down payment over 5-7 years.

Where the Jobs Are: Everett's Major Employers

Everett’s job market for financial analysts is not as vast as Seattle’s, but it’s deep in specific sectors. The key is targeting the right employers.

1. Boeing (Everett Plant): The behemoth. Roles here are often in program finance, supply chain finance, and cost analysis for the 777, 777X, and freighter programs. Hiring is cyclical but steady. Salaries here often exceed the metro median, especially for senior roles. Insider Tip: Networking at local aerospace finance meetups (often hosted at the Everett Community College or local pubs) is crucial. Many roles are filled via internal referrals.

2. Providence Regional Medical Center (Colby Campus): The largest healthcare employer in the region. Financial analysts here work in revenue cycle management, budgeting for new clinics, and grant reporting. The healthcare sector is stable, with steady growth due to Everett’s aging population. Hiring Trend: Increased demand for analysts who understand value-based care models and Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement.

3. Port of Everett: A major driver of the local economy. Analysts here work in port finance, real estate development (the waterfront project), and grant management for infrastructure projects. It’s a public-sector role with excellent benefits but a more rigid pay scale. Insider Tip: These jobs are posted on governmentjobs.com and require patience in the hiring process.

4. Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT - Northwest Region HQ): Located in Everett. Analysts here focus on transportation funding, capital project budgeting, and federal grant compliance. A great path if you’re interested in public finance and infrastructure. The work is mission-driven with strong job security.

5. AFS/INW (Anacortes Federal Savings Bank): While based in Anacortes, they have a significant commercial lending presence in Everett. Analysts here work on commercial real estate loans, credit analysis, and portfolio management. A solid entry into banking.

6. Regional Aerospace Suppliers: Companies like Boeing suppliers (e.g., Spirit Aerosystems, GKN Aerospace) and mid-sized manufacturers in the Cascade Industrial Center (near Paine Field) often need financial analysts for plant-level accounting, cost control, and forecasting. These are hidden gems—less competition than Boeing itself.

Hiring Trend to Watch: The Cascade Industrial Center is a massive, 1,400-acre industrial park near Paine Field attracting advanced manufacturing and aerospace firms. This is the next frontier for finance jobs in Everett. Keep an eye on job boards for companies moving into this area.

Getting Licensed in WA

For most Financial Analyst roles, you don’t need a state-specific license. The key certifications are national but recognized and valued in Washington.

• CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst): The gold standard for investment and corporate finance roles. Administered by the CFA Institute. No state license required. Cost: ~$1,500-$2,500 for all three levels. Timeline: 1-3 years to complete all three levels.
• CPA (Certified Public Accountant): Critical for roles with heavy accounting/financial reporting focus. Washington State Board of Accountancy requires a bachelor’s degree (150 semester hours), passing the Uniform CPA Exam, and one year of supervised experience. Cost: Exam fees ($1,000), review course ($2,000), license fees. Timeline: 1-2 years post-graduation.
• Securities Licenses (Series 7, 63): Required for roles in brokerage or investment advisory firms. These are FINRA licenses, not state-specific, but you must be affiliated with a broker-dealer to sit for them.

Insider Tip for WA: If you’re considering public sector roles (Port of Everett, WSDOT), a CPA or a master’s in public administration (MPA) can give you a significant edge. The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions website is the resource for any state-specific financial regulations.

Best Neighborhoods for Financial Analysts

Your choice of neighborhood will dictate your commute, lifestyle, and rent. Everett is a city of distinct neighborhoods.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Average 1BR Rent	Best For...
Downtown Everett	Urban, walkable, artsy. 10-15 min drive to Boeing/WSDOT.	$1,800	Young professionals who want nightlife, easy I-5 access.
North Everett / Port Gardner	Quiet, residential, near the water. 15 min to Boeing, 20 to Port.	$1,700	Those seeking a quieter, family-friendly feel with a short commute.
South Everett (Airport Way)	Commercial, car-dependent. 10-15 min to Boeing, 25 to downtown.	$1,600	Budget-conscious, prioritizes proximity to I-5 and major employers.
Mukilteo (Edge of City)	Waterfront, suburban, highly desirable. 20-25 min commute to Everett core.	$2,100+	Established professionals or families willing to pay a premium for lifestyle.
Mill Creek (East Side)	Planned community, family-oriented, very suburban. 25-35 min commute.	$1,900	Those with families, seeking top schools and a strong community feel.

Insider Tip: Traffic on I-5 is the great equalizer. A 5-mile commute can take 20 minutes during rush hour. Living north of Everett (e.g., Marysville) saves on rent but adds 15-30 minutes to your daily drive. If you work at Boeing, living in North Everett or Mukilteo is ideal to avoid the southbound I-5 crunch.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Everett, career growth for Financial Analysts is less about jumping to new firms every two years and more about deepening industry expertise and moving into leadership.

• Specialty Premiums: The biggest salary jumps come from specialization.

  • Aerospace/Defense Finance: Knowing FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation), DFARS, and government contracting can add a 10-20% premium to your salary. This is critical for Boeing and its suppliers.
  • Healthcare Finance: Expertise in healthcare reimbursement (DRGs, RVUs) and regulatory compliance (HIPAA) is highly valued at Providence and other regional health systems.
  • Supply Chain Finance: With Boeing’s global supply chain, analysts who can model risk, optimize inventory, and manage supplier credit are in constant demand.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Senior Analyst → Finance Manager: This is the most common path. You’ll need to demonstrate leadership, budgeting for larger teams, and strategic thinking.
  2. Specialist → Director of Finance: For those in a niche (e.g., plant controller at Boeing), you can rise to oversee multiple facilities or business units.
  3. Corporate Path: Move from an Everett-based division to a corporate headquarters role in Seattle or beyond. Many Everett analysts at Boeing do this.

• 10-Year Outlook: The 10-Year Job Growth for the broader "Financial and Investment Analysts" category in the Everett metro is projected at 9% (BLS data). This is solid, driven by the expansion of the aerospace supply chain, the growth of Providence healthcare, and continued public investment in infrastructure (Port, WSDOT). The rise of remote work is a wildcard—it could open Seattle jobs to Everett residents, but it also means more competition from outside the area.

The Verdict: Is Everett Right for You?

Pros and Cons for a Financial Analyst

Pros	Cons
Above-Average Salary relative to cost of living.	Limited Job Market Depth. Fewer Fortune 500 HQs than Seattle.
No State Income Tax. A significant financial benefit.	Industry Concentration. Heavily tied to aerospace; downturns here are felt strongly.
Manageable Commutes (if you choose neighborhood wisely).	Car Dependency. Public transit is improving but not yet sufficient for most commutes.
Growing, Diverse Employers beyond just Boeing.	Social/Cultural Scene is smaller than Seattle’s.
Proximity to Nature: Water, mountains, and outdoor recreation are minutes away.	Rainy, Gray Weather for much of the year can be draining.

Final Recommendation:

Everett is an excellent choice for a mid-career Financial Analyst (3-7 years experience) who values a work-life balance, lower cost of living, and wants to specialize in aerospace, healthcare, or public infrastructure finance. It’s a place to build deep expertise without the constant grind and competition of Seattle.

It’s less ideal for:

• Early-career analysts who want the highest possible salary and the most diverse job-hopping opportunities. Seattle is better for that.
• Those seeking a vibrant, 24/7 urban nightlife. Everett is more of a "city with a downtown" than a "downtown city."
• Professionals without a car. A reliable vehicle is non-negotiable.

If you’re patient, strategic about your specialization, and don’t mind the rain, Everett offers a high quality of life and a rewarding career path that’s often overlooked.

FAQs

1. What’s the main industry for Financial Analysts in Everett?
Aerospace and manufacturing are the dominant sectors, led by Boeing and its extensive supply chain. Healthcare (Providence) and public infrastructure (Port of Everett, WSDOT) are the next largest and most stable employers.

2. Is it worth commuting from Everett to Seattle for a higher salary?
It depends. A Seattle job might offer $10,000-$20,000 more, but you’ll lose 1-3 hours daily to traffic and pay more in rent/gas. Calculate the net benefit: the extra salary minus the costs of commuting (gas, car wear) and higher living expenses. For many, the Everett job with a $102,871 median salary and short commute is a better net gain.

3. How competitive is the job market with only 222 jobs in the metro?
The 222 jobs figure (from BLS) refers to very specific "Financial and Investment Analyst" roles. The actual market is larger when you include related titles like "Budget Analyst," "Cost Analyst," "Financial Manager," and "Credit Analyst" in manufacturing, healthcare, and government. Be flexible with titles in your job search.

4. What’s the best way to network in the local finance community?
Join the Washington Society of CPAs (WSCPA) Snohomish County Chapter. Attend events at Everett Community College’s Business program. Frequent local spots like The Independent Beer Bar or Atkinson’s in downtown Everett, where professionals in the aerospace and healthcare finance sectors often gather. LinkedIn is also key—target employees at your target employers and request informational interviews.

5. How does the weather really affect the job?
The "rainy season" (Oct-Apr) is real and can impact morale. However, the summers are spectacular—dry, sunny, and mild. Most local companies have a casual, pragmatic culture that accommodates the weather. The key is to invest in good gear and find indoor hobbies for the dark months.