Electrician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Electrician Salary: Washington, DC vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Electricians in Washington, DC and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$80,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$52,632 vs $54,321
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$45,470 vs $50,193
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $80,000 | $88,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,000 | $67,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $103,000 | $113,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,000 | $140,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $52,632 | $54,321▲ | -$1,689 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $69,115 | $81,312▲ | -$12,197 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $45,470 | $50,193▲ | -$4,723 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 14,000 | +1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $8,000 more (median: $80,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($52,632 vs $54,321 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.