Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Louisville, KY vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Louisville, KY and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$88,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$101,149 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$89,724 vs $85,556
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $88,000 | $150,000▲ | -$62,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,760 | $115,500▲ | -$47,740 |
| 75th Percentile | $112,640 | $192,000▲ | -$79,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $140,800 | $240,000▲ | -$99,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $101,149▲ | $92,593 | +$8,556 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,060 | $138,600▲ | -$60,540 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $89,724▲ | $85,556 | +$4,168 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 46,400 | -38,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $62,000 more (median: $88,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($101,149 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.