Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: El Paso, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in El Paso, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$26,000 vs $51,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$30,588 vs $31,481
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$28,264 vs $29,089
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $26,000 | $51,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $20,020 | $39,270▲ | -$19,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $33,280 | $65,280▲ | -$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $41,600 | $81,600▲ | -$40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $30,588 | $31,481▲ | -$893 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $24,024 | $47,124▲ | -$23,100 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $28,264 | $29,089▲ | -$825 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 145,000 | -130,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $25,000 more (median: $26,000 vs $51,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($30,588 vs $31,481 equivalent). El Paso, 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.