Construction Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Construction Manager Salary: Denver, CO vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Construction Managers in Denver, CO and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$92,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$71,875 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$63,491 vs $66,163
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $92,000 | $116,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,840 | $89,320▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $117,760 | $148,480▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $147,200 | $185,600▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $71,875▲ | $71,605 | +$270 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $81,268 | $107,184▲ | -$25,916 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,491 | $66,163▲ | -$2,672 |
| Total Employment | 42,000 | 87,000 | -45,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $24,000 more (median: $92,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($71,875 vs $71,605 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.