Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Phoenix, AZ and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$108,000 vs $145,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$104,854 vs $89,506
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$94,463 vs $82,704
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $108,000 | $145,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,000 | $112,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $138,000 | $186,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000 | $225,000▲ | -$57,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5% | 0%▲ | +2.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $104,854▲ | $89,506 | +$15,348 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,297 | $133,980▲ | -$36,683 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,463▲ | $82,704 | +$11,759 |
| Total Employment | 7,000 | 7,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $37,000 more (median: $108,000 vs $145,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($104,854 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.