Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Seattle, WA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Seattle, WA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$150,000 vs $154,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$92,593 vs $82,796
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$85,556 vs $69,388
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $150,000 | $154,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $118,580▲ | -$3,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $192,000 | $197,120▲ | -$5,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $240,000 | $246,400▲ | -$6,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 186 | -24 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $92,593▲ | $82,796 | +$9,797 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $138,600▲ | $129,062 | +$9,538 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $85,556▲ | $69,388 | +$16,168 |
| Total Employment | 46,400 | 41,600 | +4,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $4,000 more (median: $150,000 vs $154,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 186), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($92,593 vs $82,796 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.