Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Washington, DC vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Washington, DC and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Washington, DC
$88,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$57,895 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$50,018 vs $48,481
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $88,000▲ | $85,000 | +$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,000▲ | $65,000 | +$2,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $114,000▲ | $110,000 | +$4,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $143,000▲ | $138,000 | +$5,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,895▲ | $52,469 | +$5,426 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $76,027 | $78,540▲ | -$2,513 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $50,018▲ | $48,481 | +$1,537 |
| Total Employment | 25,000 | 16,000 | +9,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Washington, DC pays $3,000 more (median: $88,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($57,895 vs $52,469 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.