Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Seattle, WA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Seattle, WA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$51,000 vs $41,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$31,481 vs $32,031
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$29,089 vs $28,295
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $51,000▲ | $41,000 | +$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,270▲ | $31,570 | +$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,280▲ | $52,480 | +$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $81,600▲ | $65,600 | +$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $31,481 | $32,031▲ | -$550 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $47,124▲ | $36,217 | +$10,907 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $29,089▲ | $28,295 | +$794 |
| Total Employment | 145,000 | 70,000 | +75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $10,000 more (median: $51,000 vs $41,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($31,481 vs $32,031 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.