Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Denver, CO vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Denver, CO and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$41,000 vs $51,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$32,031 vs $31,481
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$28,295 vs $29,089
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $41,000 | $51,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,570 | $39,270▲ | -$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $52,480 | $65,280▲ | -$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $65,600 | $81,600▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $32,031▲ | $31,481 | +$550 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $36,217 | $47,124▲ | -$10,907 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $28,295 | $29,089▲ | -$794 |
| 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 $10,000 more (median: $41,000 vs $51,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($32,031 vs $31,481 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.