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