Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: San Diego, CA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in San Diego, CA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$135,000 vs $145,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$88,816 vs $89,506
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$74,434 vs $82,704
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $135,000 | $145,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $104,000 | $112,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $173,000 | $186,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $210,000 | $225,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $88,816 | $89,506▲ | -$690 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $113,139 | $133,980▲ | -$20,841 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $74,434 | $82,704▲ | -$8,270 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 7,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $10,000 more (median: $135,000 vs $145,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($88,816 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.