Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Seattle, WA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Seattle, WA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$150,000 vs $123,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$92,593 vs $99,194
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$85,556 vs $91,655
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $150,000▲ | $123,000 | +$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500▲ | $94,710 | +$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $192,000▲ | $157,440 | +$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $240,000▲ | $196,800 | +$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $92,593 | $99,194▲ | -$6,601 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $138,600▲ | $113,652 | +$24,948 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $85,556 | $91,655▲ | -$6,099 |
| Total Employment | 46,400 | 30,400 | +16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $27,000 more (median: $150,000 vs $123,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($92,593 vs $99,194 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.