Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Seattle, WA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Seattle, WA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$150,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$92,593 vs $79,144
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$85,556 vs $68,120
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $150,000▲ | $148,000 | +$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500▲ | $113,960 | +$1,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $192,000▲ | $189,440 | +$2,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $240,000▲ | $236,800 | +$3,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 187 | -25 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $92,593▲ | $79,144 | +$13,449 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $138,600▲ | $127,384 | +$11,216 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $85,556▲ | $68,120 | +$17,436 |
| Total Employment | 46,400 | 54,400 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $2,000 more (median: $150,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 187), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($92,593 vs $79,144 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.