Severance Pay in Seattle, Washington | 2026 Calculator & Guide

Free Severance Pay Calculator

Estimate your severance package based on your salary, years of service, and industry

Washington State Law Quick-Reference

No

Mandatory Severance

60 days

WARN Act Notice

22.0%

Est. Combined Withholding

Washington has no state income tax, so your severance will only have federal withholding. The combined tax rate includes the 22% federal supplemental wage rate. Washington has no state income tax.

Major Employers in Seattle

Amazon

Employee-reported (never company-confirmed): ~1 week per 6 months of service (≈2 wks/yr), reported floor ~4 weeks, cap ~20 weeks, paid after a ~90-day paid notice window; warehouse tiers reported lower

Microsoft

No company-published formula. Employee-reported/leaked: up to ~39 weeks base (levels <=64: 1 week per 6 months of service; 65-67: 2 weeks per 6 months), 60-day minimum notice, ~6 months healthcare + 12 months COBRA. A separate April 2026 voluntary programme was reported at ~12 weeks + 2 weeks/year (cap 52). All reported, not confirmed.

Google (Alphabet)

Company-confirmed only for the Jan 2023 layoff: 16 weeks base + 2 weeks/year of service, >=16 weeks accelerated GSU vesting, 6 months healthcare, 60-day paid notice. The 2025-26 voluntary buyouts have no Google-published figure (the reported ~14 wks + 1 wk/yr is from a leaked memo, not confirmed).

Meta (Facebook)

Company-confirmed (Zuckerberg's Nov 2022 letter): 16 weeks base + 2 weeks/year of service (no cap), 6 months healthcare, RSU vesting to the next vest date, PTO payout. The May 2026 ~8,000-role round is reported to follow the same 16+2 structure (with ~18 months COBRA). That round is mainstream-reported, not company-restated.

Apple

4-12 weeks depending on role and tenure

Uber

10 weeks minimum + 1 week per year of service

Salesforce

Minimum 5 months pay plus career resources

Oracle

Multi-source confirmed (TechCrunch, TIME, IndexBox): 4 weeks of base pay for the first year of service + 1 week per additional year, capped at 26 weeks total. 1-month COBRA subsidy. Release of claims required. NO RSU acceleration: unvested RSUs forfeit at termination (the most controversial element of the March 2026 cuts; documented $1M individual forfeitures in published reports).

Top Industries in Seattle

Salary-Adjusted Severance Examples for Seattle

Based on the Seattle median salary of $105,000 ($2,019/week), with 22.0% combined tax withholding

Tenure	Low (1 wk/yr)	Typical (2 wk/yr)	High (3 wk/yr)
2 years	$4,038 $3,150 after tax	$8,077 $6,300 after tax	$12,115 $9,450 after tax
5 years	$10,096 $7,875 after tax	$20,192 $15,750 after tax	$30,288 $23,625 after tax
10 years	$20,192 $15,750 after tax	$40,385 $31,500 after tax	$60,577 $47,250 after tax

Cost of Living Context

172

Cost of Living Index
(National average = 100)

Your $20,192 typical severance (5 years tenure) goes 72% less in Seattle compared to the national average. In a high-cost area like Seattle, negotiating additional weeks of severance or employer-paid COBRA coverage is especially important to maintain your standard of living during your job search.

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When a calculator estimate is not enough

Use your estimate as a starting point, not a final answer. Releases of claims, stock equity, short deadlines, and layoffs involving protected rights all need closer review.

Review Methodology Contact the Team

Seattle Severance Pay FAQ

How much severance pay is typical in Seattle?▼

In Seattle, Washington, typical severance ranges from 1-3 weeks of pay per year of service. Based on the local median salary of $105,000, a worker with 5 years of tenure can expect between $10,096 and $30,288 in gross severance. However, actual amounts vary significantly by employer, industry, and seniority level.

How is severance taxed in Seattle, Washington?▼

Severance pay in Seattle is taxed at a combined rate of 22.0%: the 22% federal supplemental wage rate. Washington has no state income tax, so Seattle workers keep more of their severance. On a $50,000 severance package, you would take home approximately $39,000 after withholding.

Where can I find a severance lawyer in Seattle?▼

A local attorney familiar with Washington employment law can review your severance agreement, identify additional leverage, and negotiate better terms. Many employment attorneys in Seattle offer free initial consultations, so consider consulting a licensed employment attorney in your state.