Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Los Angeles, CA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$140,000 vs $145,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$80,925 vs $89,506
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$67,821 vs $82,704
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $140,000 | $145,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $108,000 | $112,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $179,000 | $186,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $217,000 | $225,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 162 | +11 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $80,925 | $89,506▲ | -$8,581 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $117,330 | $133,980▲ | -$16,650 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $67,821 | $82,704▲ | -$14,883 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 7,000 | +7,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $5,000 more (median: $140,000 vs $145,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($80,925 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.