Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Detroit, MI vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Detroit, MI and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$98,000 vs $145,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$110,112 vs $89,506
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$97,420 vs $82,704
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000 | $145,000▲ | -$47,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,000 | $112,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $125,000 | $186,000▲ | -$61,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $225,000▲ | -$73,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 162 | -73 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25% | 0%▲ | +4.25% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $110,112▲ | $89,506 | +$20,606 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $86,704 | $133,980▲ | -$47,276 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $97,420▲ | $82,704 | +$14,716 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 7,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $47,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $145,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 162), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($110,112 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.