Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Seattle, WA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Seattle, WA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$150,000 vs $119,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$92,593 vs $92,969
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$85,556 vs $82,123
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $150,000▲ | $119,000 | +$31,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500▲ | $91,630 | +$23,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $192,000▲ | $152,320 | +$39,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $240,000▲ | $190,400 | +$49,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $92,593 | $92,969▲ | -$376 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $138,600▲ | $105,118 | +$33,482 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $85,556▲ | $82,123 | +$3,433 |
| Total Employment | 46,400 | 22,400 | +24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $31,000 more (median: $150,000 vs $119,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($92,593 vs $92,969 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.