Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Washington, DC vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Washington, DC and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$134,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$88,158 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$76,163 vs $85,556
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $134,000 | $150,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,180 | $115,500▲ | -$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $171,520 | $192,000▲ | -$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $214,400 | $240,000▲ | -$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $88,158 | $92,593▲ | -$4,435 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $115,768 | $138,600▲ | -$22,832 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $76,163 | $85,556▲ | -$9,393 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 46,400 | -10,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $16,000 more (median: $134,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($88,158 vs $92,593 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.