Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Chicago, IL vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Chicago, IL and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$115,000 vs $145,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$107,477 vs $89,506
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$94,393 vs $82,704
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $115,000 | $145,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,000 | $112,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $147,000 | $186,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $178,000 | $225,000▲ | -$47,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 0%▲ | +4.95% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $107,477▲ | $89,506 | +$17,971 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $101,000 | $133,980▲ | -$32,980 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,393▲ | $82,704 | +$11,689 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 7,000 | +3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $30,000 more (median: $115,000 vs $145,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($107,477 vs $89,506 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.