Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Raleigh, NC and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$110,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$106,796 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$94,239 vs $85,556
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $110,000 | $150,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $84,700 | $115,500▲ | -$30,800 |
| 75th Percentile | $140,800 | $192,000▲ | -$51,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $176,000 | $240,000▲ | -$64,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $106,796▲ | $92,593 | +$14,203 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,066 | $138,600▲ | -$41,534 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,239▲ | $85,556 | +$8,683 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 46,400 | -28,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $40,000 more (median: $110,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($106,796 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.