Washington, United States · 2026

Staff Data Engineer Salary in Washington

Based on 4 national salary reports · All figures in USD

Average salary
$196,637
per year
Median salary
$193,755
50th percentile
Lowest reported
$167,805
10th percentile
Highest reported
$227,776
90th percentile

What does a Staff Data Engineer earn in Washington?

The average Staff Data Engineer salary in Washington is $196,637 per year. This is based on 4 reported salaries across United States. Most people in this role earn between $183,755 and $208,755. The highest paid professionals earn up to $227,776.

Pay in Washington varies depending on the size of the company, your experience level, and what you specialise in. Larger companies tend to pay more than smaller ones. Professionals who take on more responsibility and show clear results move up the pay scale faster.

Most Staff Data Engineer roles are office based or hybrid. Only 0% are fully remote nationally.

Salary statistics

Salary type Annual pay (USD)
Average salary $196,637
Median salary $193,755
Lowest reported $167,805
Highest reported $227,776

Based on 4 salary reports across United States. The median gives a more accurate picture of typical pay because it is not skewed by outliers.

Pay by experience level

Senior · 7 to 10 years
$196,637
You lead projects and set direction for others. Senior professionals are expected to make decisions without much oversight. Pay at this level reflects the impact you have on the wider team.

How this role compares to similar jobs in Washington

Job title Average salary Difference
Security Engineer $165,686 -15%
Security Analyst $116,350 -40%
Manager $169,928 -13%
Software Engineer $169,444 -13%
Security Architect $177,215 -9%

How to earn more as a Staff Data Engineer in Washington

The biggest jump in pay usually comes when you move from mid level to senior. Getting there faster means taking on bigger projects and showing you can work without being told what to do.

Specialising in tools or areas that are hard to find helps too. If you are the only person on a team who knows a specific platform well, you have more leverage in salary talks.

Before any negotiation, use the figures above for your experience level. Come to the conversation with specific examples of what you have delivered. Avoid using your current salary as the starting point.

Do not forget to look beyond base salary. Bonuses, extra leave, remote working, and training budgets can add up to a lot over the course of a year.

Frequently asked questions

Is $196,637 a good salary for a Staff Data Engineer in Washington?
$196,637 is the national average for this role across United States. Whether it is good depends on your experience level and company size. If you are mid level or above you should be aiming at or above this figure.
What is the highest a Staff Data Engineer can earn in Washington?
The top 10% of Staff Data Engineer professionals earn $227,776 or more per year. These are usually senior or executive level roles at large companies. Getting to this level takes strong specialist skills and a solid track record.
How does experience affect Staff Data Engineer salary?
Experience has a big impact on pay. Entry level professionals earn significantly less than senior ones. The move from mid level to senior is usually the biggest single pay increase in your career.
Are Staff Data Engineer jobs growing in Washington?
Demand for Staff Data Engineer professionals has been strong across United States in recent years. Companies are investing more in technology, data, and security which drives hiring across most technical roles.
How do I negotiate a higher salary as a Staff Data Engineer?
Start by knowing your number. Use the data on this page to find the right range for your experience level. Talk about specific results you have delivered. If you have other offers you have more room to push for a higher figure.
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