Calculate Seattle's per diem rate based on GSA guidelines to simplify your business travels.
As the primary business and technology hub of the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is a vital destination for corporate travel. For any organization with employees traveling to Seattle, a precise and legally compliant per diem strategy is essential.
This guide is designed to provide clarity on travel expenses in Seattle. We will cover the official GSA per diem rates, explain the laws that govern employee reimbursement in both Washington State and the City of Seattle, and show you how to streamline the entire process.
Per diem rates for official travel in Seattle are set by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). These federal rates are mandatory for federal employees and serve as a common benchmark for private sector companies looking to create an IRS-compliant reimbursement policy.
For Fiscal Year 2025 (October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025), key rates for the Seattle area are broken down as follows:
The city of Seattle and surrounding King County have their own designated Non-Standard Area (NSA) rates with significant seasonal variations driven by tourism and events.
For any county in Washington not specifically listed by the GSA, the standard CONUS rate applies. For FY 2025, this rate is $178 ($110 for lodging and $68 for M&IE).
Find the exact per diem allowance for your business trip to Seattle with our easy-to-use calculator. Select the fiscal year, choose your destination, and input your travel dates. The tool will instantly provide the correct lodging and M&IE rates based on the official GSA schedule.
While Washington State law is flexible, the City of Seattle has its own robust laws that protect employees from bearing the costs of business-related expenses.
It's crucial for employers in Seattle to understand how the city's local ordinance interacts with the federal per diem system.
In a high-cost city like Seattle, where expense reimbursement is a legal mandate, maintaining a compliant, accurate, and efficient system is paramount. Fyle’s expense tracking app automates the entire process, providing an ironclad audit trail while making it simple for employees to get reimbursed quickly.
Here’s how Fyle helps you build a compliant and efficient expense process in Seattle:
With Fyle, you can confidently meet your legal reimbursement obligations in Seattle, giving your finance team powerful controls while offering a simple, modern experience for your employees.
The content on this page is for informational use. As legal standards and per diem rates are subject to change, users should verify current details with official GSA or government resources. This information does not serve as financial or legal counsel.
