Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Portland, OR vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Portland, OR and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$42,000 vs $51,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$32,308 vs $31,481
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$27,240 vs $29,089
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $42,000 | $51,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,340 | $39,270▲ | -$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $53,760 | $65,280▲ | -$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $67,200 | $81,600▲ | -$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 0%▲ | +8.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $32,308▲ | $31,481 | +$827 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $35,412 | $47,124▲ | -$11,712 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $27,240 | $29,089▲ | -$1,849 |
| Total Employment | 50,000 | 145,000 | -95,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $9,000 more (median: $42,000 vs $51,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($32,308 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.