Financial Advisor · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Advisor Salary: Seattle, WA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Advisors in Seattle, WA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$122,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$75,309 vs $69,136
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$69,585 vs $60,688
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $122,000▲ | $112,000 | +$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $93,940▲ | $86,240 | +$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $156,160▲ | $143,360 | +$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $195,200▲ | $179,200 | +$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 162 | — |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $75,309▲ | $69,136 | +$6,173 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $112,728▲ | $98,314 | +$14,414 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $69,585▲ | $60,688 | +$8,897 |
| Total Employment | 46,400 | 33,600 | +12,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $10,000 more (median: $122,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($75,309 vs $69,136 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.