Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Seattle, WA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Seattle, WA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$116,000 vs $92,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$71,605 vs $71,875
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$66,163 vs $63,491
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $116,000▲ | $92,000 | +$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,320▲ | $70,840 | +$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,480▲ | $117,760 | +$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $185,600▲ | $147,200 | +$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $71,605 | $71,875▲ | -$270 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $107,184▲ | $81,268 | +$25,916 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $66,163▲ | $63,491 | +$2,672 |
| Total Employment | 87,000 | 42,000 | +45,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $24,000 more (median: $116,000 vs $92,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($71,605 vs $71,875 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.