Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Boston, MA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Boston, MA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$136,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$83,951 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$73,692 vs $85,556
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $136,000 | $150,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $104,720 | $115,500▲ | -$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $174,080 | $192,000▲ | -$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $217,600 | $240,000▲ | -$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 162 | — |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $83,951 | $92,593▲ | -$8,642 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $119,381 | $138,600▲ | -$19,219 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $73,692 | $85,556▲ | -$11,864 |
| Total Employment | 33,600 | 46,400 | -12,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $14,000 more (median: $136,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($83,951 vs $92,593 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.