Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Salt Lake City, UT and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$36,000 vs $51,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$32,143 vs $31,481
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$28,319 vs $29,089
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $36,000 | $51,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,720 | $39,270▲ | -$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $46,080 | $65,280▲ | -$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $57,600 | $81,600▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65% | 0%▲ | +4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $32,143▲ | $31,481 | +$662 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $31,717 | $47,124▲ | -$15,407 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $28,319 | $29,089▲ | -$770 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 145,000 | -100,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $15,000 more (median: $36,000 vs $51,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($32,143 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.