Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Memphis, TN vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Memphis, TN and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$84,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$101,205 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$93,513 vs $85,556
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $84,000 | $150,000▲ | -$66,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,680 | $115,500▲ | -$50,820 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,520 | $192,000▲ | -$84,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,400 | $240,000▲ | -$105,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 162 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $101,205▲ | $92,593 | +$8,612 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $77,616 | $138,600▲ | -$60,984 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $93,513▲ | $85,556 | +$7,957 |
| Total Employment | 6,400 | 46,400 | -40,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $66,000 more (median: $84,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 162), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($101,205 vs $92,593 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.