Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in San Francisco, CA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$155,000 vs $145,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$83,333 vs $89,506
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$69,839 vs $82,704
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $155,000▲ | $145,000 | +$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $120,000▲ | $112,000 | +$8,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $198,000▲ | $186,000 | +$12,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $240,000▲ | $225,000 | +$15,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $83,333 | $89,506▲ | -$6,173 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $129,901 | $133,980▲ | -$4,079 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $69,839 | $82,704▲ | -$12,865 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 7,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $10,000 more (median: $155,000 vs $145,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($83,333 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.