Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Portland, OR vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Portland, OR and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$125,000 vs $145,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$96,154 vs $89,506
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$81,072 vs $82,704
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $125,000 | $145,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $97,000 | $112,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $160,000 | $186,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,000 | $225,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 0%▲ | +8.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $96,154▲ | $89,506 | +$6,648 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $105,394 | $133,980▲ | -$28,586 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $81,072 | $82,704▲ | -$1,632 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 7,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $20,000 more (median: $125,000 vs $145,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($96,154 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.