Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Memphis, TN vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Memphis, TN and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$28,000 vs $51,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$33,735 vs $31,481
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$31,171 vs $29,089
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $28,000 | $51,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $21,560 | $39,270▲ | -$17,710 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,840 | $65,280▲ | -$29,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $44,800 | $81,600▲ | -$36,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 162 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $33,735▲ | $31,481 | +$2,254 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $25,872 | $47,124▲ | -$21,252 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $31,171▲ | $29,089 | +$2,082 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 145,000 | -125,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $23,000 more (median: $28,000 vs $51,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 162), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($33,735 vs $31,481 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.