Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Washington, DC vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Washington, DC and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$46,000 vs $51,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$30,263 vs $31,481
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$26,145 vs $29,089
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $46,000 | $51,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,420 | $39,270▲ | -$3,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $58,880 | $65,280▲ | -$6,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $73,600 | $81,600▲ | -$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $30,263 | $31,481▲ | -$1,218 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $39,741 | $47,124▲ | -$7,383 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $26,145 | $29,089▲ | -$2,944 |
| Total Employment | 112,500 | 145,000 | -32,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $5,000 more (median: $46,000 vs $51,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($30,263 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.