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