Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Denver, CO vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Denver, CO and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$95,000 vs $119,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$74,219 vs $73,457
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$65,561 vs $67,874
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $119,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,150 | $91,630▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,600 | $152,320▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $190,400▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $74,219▲ | $73,457 | +$762 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $83,918 | $109,956▲ | -$26,038 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $65,561 | $67,874▲ | -$2,313 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 46,400 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $24,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $119,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($74,219 vs $73,457 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.