Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Austin, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Austin, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$123,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$99,194 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$91,655 vs $85,556
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $123,000 | $150,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $94,710 | $115,500▲ | -$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $157,440 | $192,000▲ | -$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $196,800 | $240,000▲ | -$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 162 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $99,194▲ | $92,593 | +$6,601 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $113,652 | $138,600▲ | -$24,948 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $91,655▲ | $85,556 | +$6,099 |
| Total Employment | 30,400 | 46,400 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $27,000 more (median: $123,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 162), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($99,194 vs $92,593 equivalent). Austin, TX 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.