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$52,000 USD is the average salary for an Accounts Payable Clerk in Seattle, WA, based on aggregated data from ZipRecruiter, Randstad, Salary.com, and Glassdoor (2024-2026). This page covers the full compensation spectrum from entry-level invoice processing roles through senior AP positions managing high-volume ERP workflows and month-end close, and explains why ranges vary by employer size, ERP proficiency, invoice volume handled, and industry sector.
Compensation rises sharply once a candidate can demonstrate ERP ownership, three-way match accuracy, and month-end close delivery under deadline.
$42,000 - $50,000 USD
Roles focus on basic invoice data entry, coding to GL accounts, and routing for approval with close supervision and limited ERP autonomy.
$50,000 - $58,000 USD
Candidates own vendor statement reconciliation, perform three-way match on PO-based invoices, and process moderate invoice volumes with minimal oversight.
$58,000 - $65,000 USD
Senior clerks drive month-end close schedules, manage high invoice volumes across multiple entities, and handle escalated vendor disputes independently.
$65,000 - $70,000 USD
Top-of-band roles combine high-volume ERP workflow administration, audit support, and mentoring junior staff while reporting AP metrics to the controller.
Most AP clerks plateau because their resume lists job duties instead of output metrics - invoice volumes, error rates, and close cycle times are the numbers hiring managers actually want to see. Fixing your resume framing is usually the fastest lever.
Recruiters at Seattle-area employers filter for ERP keywords, invoice volume metrics, and three-way match experience before a human reads your resume. An optimized resume that surfaces those specifics can move you from the $48K screen to the $58K-plus offer pile.
Higher-paying candidates typically show:
The largest market in Washington, anchored by tech and aerospace employers; top-of-band roles often require ERP experience and high invoice volume throughput.
A dense tech corridor across the lake from Seattle, with T-Mobile and Expedia driving demand for AP clerks comfortable with multi-entity ERP environments.
Microsoft and Nintendo anchor demand here; expect rigorous interview processes focused on three-way match and system proficiency.
Boeing's large Renton footprint creates steady AP clerk demand in aerospace supply chain, where PO-based matching and compliance documentation are core skills.
A mix of healthcare and mid-market employers; roles tend to cluster in the entry-to-mid band with strong benefits packages often offsetting base pay.
Growing tech startup presence means more AP roles opening, though smaller companies may offer equity or remote flexibility in lieu of top-of-band base pay.
Most AP clerk roles in Seattle are non-exempt hourly or salaried non-exempt positions, meaning overtime pay applies above 40 hours. Some employers offer a small year-end discretionary bonus of 2-5% of base, but this is not universal and should not be assumed when comparing offers. Always ask whether the posted salary is hourly or annual and whether OT is expected during close weeks.
Washington has no personal state income tax, which effectively increases the real value of a Seattle salary compared to equivalent nominal pay in states like California or Oregon. Factor this in when comparing offers across state lines or evaluating remote roles based in tax-heavy states.
Staffing firms such as Randstad and Robert Half frequently place AP clerks on 3-6 month contracts in Seattle at $22-$32 per hour, which can exceed annual direct-hire base pay on a gross basis but comes without benefits, PTO accrual, or job security. Clarify engagement type before accepting a rate offer.
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Answers to the most common questions about Accounts Payable Clerk compensation in Seattle, WA, US.
Based on data from ZipRecruiter, Randstad, Salary.com, and Glassdoor compiled between 2024 and early 2026, the average salary for an Accounts Payable Clerk in Seattle is approximately $49,900 to $56,200 per year in base pay. The full range runs from about $42,000 at the entry level to $70,000 for senior or lead AP specialist roles. Figures are base salary only and exclude overtime, bonus, and benefits.
A competitive salary for a mid-career AP clerk in Seattle is $50,000 to $58,000 USD per year. Candidates with ERP proficiency, three-way match experience, and month-end close ownership can reasonably target $58,000 to $65,000. Anything above $65,000 typically reflects a lead or specialist title with supervisory or process-improvement responsibilities.
Experience has a meaningful but not unlimited impact. Entry-level clerks (0-2 years) typically earn $42,000 to $50,000, while mid-career professionals (2-5 years) move into the $50,000 to $58,000 band. Senior clerks with 5-8 years of experience and demonstrated close-cycle ownership can reach $58,000 to $65,000. Beyond that, additional pay growth typically requires a title change to AP Specialist, AP Supervisor, or AP Manager.
Yes, ERP proficiency is one of the most consistently cited pay drivers in AP clerk job postings in the Seattle area. Candidates who can demonstrate hands-on experience in SAP, Oracle EBS, or NetSuite tend to receive offers 5-10% above candidates who list only Excel and QuickBooks. AP automation tools such as Concur or Tipalti are also appearing more frequently in postings and can add $2,000-$4,000 to an offer.
Active Seattle-area employers for AP clerk roles include Amazon, Boeing, Nordstrom, Costco, T-Mobile, Expedia, Providence Health, Starbucks, PACCAR, and Weyerhaeuser. Staffing firms including Robert Half, Randstad, and LHH Recruitment Solutions also regularly place AP clerks on contract and temp-to-hire assignments throughout King County.
Bellevue and Redmond average salaries are broadly similar to Seattle, typically ranging from $50,000 to $65,000, reflecting the tech-heavy employer base across the Eastside. Renton and Bothell tend to run about 5-10% lower on base pay. Since Washington has no state income tax, all of these figures compare favorably to nominally equivalent salaries in neighboring Oregon.
All salary figures on this page are in US dollars (USD). Seattle is located in Washington State in the United States. Washington state has no personal income tax, which increases the effective take-home value of these salaries compared to states with state income tax.
The most commonly recognized credentials are the Certified Bookkeeper (CB) designation from the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) and the Accounts Payable Specialist certification from the Institute of Finance and Management (IOFM). While neither is required, listing them signals formal training and can help candidates move from the entry-level band into mid-career offers faster.
Compare AP clerk compensation across similar markets and explore adjacent accounting and administrative roles in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
| Job title | Entry Level | Mid-Career | Senior | Lead / Senior II |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounts Payable Clerk | $38,000 - $45,000 USD | $45,000 - $55,000 USD | $55,000 - $65,000 USD | — |
| Accounts Payable Clerk | $33,000 - $40,000 USD | $40,000 - $48,000 USD | $48,000 - $54,000 USD | $54,000 - $56,000 USD |
| Accounts Payable Clerk | $33,000 - $39,000 USD | $39,000 - $46,000 USD | $46,000 - $53,000 USD | $53,000 - $58,000 USD |
| Bookkeeper | $33,000 - $42,000 USD | $42,000 - $52,000 USD | $52,000 - $63,000 USD | $63,000 - $73,000 USD |
| Payroll Coordinator | $40,000 - $50,000 USD | $50,000 - $65,000 USD | $65,000 - $78,000 USD | $78,000 - $85,000 USD |
| Billing Clerk | $36K - $42K CAD | $42K - $54K CAD | $54K - $64K CAD | $64K - $68K CAD |
| Office Administrator | $34,000 - $42,000 USD | $42,000 - $56,000 USD | $56,000 - $70,000 USD | $70,000 - $85,000 USD |
| Executive Assistant | $45K - $62K USD | $63K - $82K USD | $83K - $101K USD | $102K - $121K USD |
Explore these resources to advance your AP career, negotiate your compensation, and present yourself effectively to employers in the Seattle market.
Learn proven negotiation strategies to maximize your compensation package as an Accounts Payable Clerk in a competitive market like Seattle.
Read article →Discover how to highlight financial operations expertise and process management skills relevant to AP roles when building your resume.
Read article →Master the art of optimizing your AP resume with industry-specific keywords like ERP proficiency, invoice processing, and month-end close to pass ATS systems and catch recruiter attention.
Read article →Salary ranges on this page were compiled by cross-referencing job posting data and employee-reported compensation from ZipRecruiter, Randstad, Salary.com, and Glassdoor, covering the period from approximately mid-2024 through January 2026. Where sources differed materially, ranges were widened to reflect the spread rather than averaged to a single point.
The following quotes reflect community discussions on public forums and employer review platforms from 2024 to early 2026, and represent individual perspectives rather than verified compensation data.
“Got an offer at a Seattle tech company for $54K - thought it was low but the no state tax thing actually makes it feel closer to $60K compared to my old California job.”
Reflects a common calculus Seattle AP candidates make: Washington's lack of state income tax meaningfully narrows the gap between Seattle and higher-nominal-pay markets.
“The range is pretty wide here - I know people doing the same job title, one at $44K and one at $63K, just depends on the employer and how well they negotiated.”
Confirms that title alone is not a reliable pay signal in Seattle; employer type and negotiation skill matter as much as experience level.
“Month-end close experience is the thing that moved my salary. Once I could say I own the close, offers went up by like $8K overnight.”
Directly supports the finding that close-cycle ownership is one of the strongest single pay drivers for AP clerks in the Seattle market.
“Staffing agencies here will lowball you at $20-$22 an hour on contract but if you push and have ERP experience you can get $28-$30 pretty easily.”
Highlights the gap between initial contract rate offers and achievable rates for candidates who can name specific ERP systems and quantify throughput.
“AP here is high volume - we're talking hundreds of PO invoices a day - but the pay is fair and the three-way match experience looks great on a resume.”
Boeing's Renton and Seattle footprint creates steady demand for PO-based AP skills; the volume exposure is a career asset even if base pay sits mid-band.
Amazon · Boeing · Nordstrom · Costco Wholesale · T-Mobile · Expedia Group · Providence Health and Services · Starbucks · PACCAR · Weyerhaeuser · Robert Half · Randstad
ZipRecruiter: Accounts Payable Clerk Salary in Seattle, WA (as of January 2026) ZipRecruiter - Seattle AP Clerk Salary
Randstad USA: Accounts Payable Clerk Salaries in Seattle, Washington (2025) Randstad - Seattle AP Clerk Salary
Salary.com: Accounts Payable Clerk II Salary in Seattle, WA (December 2024) Salary.com - AP Clerk II Seattle
Glassdoor: Accounting Clerk Salary in Washington State (June 2025) Glassdoor - Accounting Clerk WA
Indeed: Accounts Payable Clerk Salary in Seattle, WA (updated June 2025) Indeed - Seattle AP Clerk Salary
Salary.com: Entry Level Accounts Payable Clerk Salary by State, including Washington (January 2026) Salary.com - Entry Level AP Clerk by State