Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Seattle, WA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Seattle, WA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$150,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$92,593 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$85,556 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $150,000▲ | $136,000 | +$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500▲ | $104,720 | +$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $192,000▲ | $174,080 | +$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $240,000▲ | $217,600 | +$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 162 | — |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $92,593▲ | $83,951 | +$8,642 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $138,600▲ | $119,381 | +$19,219 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $85,556▲ | $73,692 | +$11,864 |
| Total Employment | 46,400 | 33,600 | +12,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $14,000 more (median: $150,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($92,593 vs $83,951 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.