Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Denver, CO vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Denver, CO and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$61,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$47,656 vs $47,531
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$42,097 vs $43,919
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $61,000 | $77,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,970 | $59,290▲ | -$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,080 | $98,560▲ | -$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $97,600 | $123,200▲ | -$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,656▲ | $47,531 | +$125 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $53,884 | $71,148▲ | -$17,264 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,097 | $43,919▲ | -$1,822 |
| Total Employment | 70,000 | 145,000 | -75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $16,000 more (median: $61,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($47,656 vs $47,531 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.