Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Denver, CO vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Denver, CO and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$119,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$92,969 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$82,123 vs $85,556
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $119,000 | $150,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,630 | $115,500▲ | -$23,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $152,320 | $192,000▲ | -$39,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $190,400 | $240,000▲ | -$49,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $92,969▲ | $92,593 | +$376 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $105,118 | $138,600▲ | -$33,482 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $82,123 | $85,556▲ | -$3,433 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 46,400 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $31,000 more (median: $119,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($92,969 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.