Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: El Paso, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in El Paso, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$77,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$90,588 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$83,704 vs $85,556
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $77,000 | $150,000▲ | -$73,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,290 | $115,500▲ | -$56,210 |
| 75th Percentile | $98,560 | $192,000▲ | -$93,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $123,200 | $240,000▲ | -$116,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $90,588 | $92,593▲ | -$2,005 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $71,148 | $138,600▲ | -$67,452 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $83,704 | $85,556▲ | -$1,852 |
| Total Employment | 4,800 | 46,400 | -41,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $73,000 more (median: $77,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($90,588 vs $92,593 equivalent). El Paso, 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.