Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Columbus, OH vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Columbus, OH and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$99,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$108,791 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$96,512 vs $85,556
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $99,000 | $150,000▲ | -$51,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,230 | $115,500▲ | -$39,270 |
| 75th Percentile | $126,720 | $192,000▲ | -$65,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $158,400 | $240,000▲ | -$81,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99% | 0%▲ | +3.99% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $108,791▲ | $92,593 | +$16,198 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $87,826 | $138,600▲ | -$50,774 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $96,512▲ | $85,556 | +$10,956 |
| Total Employment | 12,800 | 46,400 | -33,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $51,000 more (median: $99,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($108,791 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.