Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Seattle, WA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Seattle, WA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$51,000 vs $42,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$31,481 vs $33,871
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$29,089 vs $31,297
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $51,000▲ | $42,000 | +$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,270▲ | $32,340 | +$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,280▲ | $53,760 | +$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $81,600▲ | $67,200 | +$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $31,481 | $33,871▲ | -$2,390 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $47,124▲ | $38,808 | +$8,316 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $29,089 | $31,297▲ | -$2,208 |
| Total Employment | 145,000 | 95,000 | +50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $9,000 more (median: $51,000 vs $42,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($31,481 vs $33,871 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.