Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Nashville, TN vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Nashville, TN and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$83,000 vs $119,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$75,455 vs $73,457
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$69,720 vs $67,874
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $83,000 | $119,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,910 | $91,630▲ | -$27,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,240 | $152,320▲ | -$46,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $132,800 | $190,400▲ | -$57,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $75,455▲ | $73,457 | +$1,998 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $76,692 | $109,956▲ | -$33,264 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $69,720▲ | $67,874 | +$1,846 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 46,400 | -32,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $36,000 more (median: $83,000 vs $119,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($75,455 vs $73,457 equivalent). Nashville, TN 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.