Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Portland, OR vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Portland, OR and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$123,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$94,615 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$79,775 vs $85,556
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $123,000 | $150,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $94,710 | $115,500▲ | -$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $157,440 | $192,000▲ | -$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $196,800 | $240,000▲ | -$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 0%▲ | +8.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $94,615▲ | $92,593 | +$2,022 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $103,707 | $138,600▲ | -$34,893 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $79,775 | $85,556▲ | -$5,781 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 46,400 | -30,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $27,000 more (median: $123,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($94,615 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.