Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Washington, DC vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Washington, DC and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$103,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$67,763 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$58,543 vs $66,163
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $103,000 | $116,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $79,310 | $89,320▲ | -$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $131,840 | $148,480▲ | -$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $164,800 | $185,600▲ | -$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $67,763 | $71,605▲ | -$3,842 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $88,986 | $107,184▲ | -$18,198 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,543 | $66,163▲ | -$7,620 |
| Total Employment | 67,500 | 87,000 | -19,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $13,000 more (median: $103,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($67,763 vs $71,605 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.