HR Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
HR Manager Salary: Austin, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HR Managers in Austin, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$101,000 vs $122,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$81,452 vs $75,309
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$75,261 vs $69,585
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $101,000 | $122,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,770 | $93,940▲ | -$16,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $129,280 | $156,160▲ | -$26,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,600 | $195,200▲ | -$33,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 162 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $81,452▲ | $75,309 | +$6,143 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $93,324 | $112,728▲ | -$19,404 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $75,261▲ | $69,585 | +$5,676 |
| Total Employment | 30,400 | 46,400 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $21,000 more (median: $101,000 vs $122,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 162), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($81,452 vs $75,309 equivalent). Austin, TX 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.