Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Seattle, WA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Seattle, WA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$51,000 vs $50,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$31,481 vs $26,738
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$29,089 vs $23,013
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $51,000▲ | $50,000 | +$1,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,270▲ | $38,500 | +$770 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,280▲ | $64,000 | +$1,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $81,600▲ | $80,000 | +$1,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 187 | -25 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $31,481▲ | $26,738 | +$4,743 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $47,124▲ | $43,035 | +$4,089 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $29,089▲ | $23,013 | +$6,076 |
| Total Employment | 145,000 | 170,000 | -25,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $1,000 more (median: $51,000 vs $50,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 187), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($31,481 vs $26,738 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.