Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Seattle, WA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Seattle, WA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$145,000 vs $118,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$89,506 vs $95,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$82,704 vs $87,929
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $145,000▲ | $118,000 | +$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $112,000▲ | $91,000 | +$21,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $186,000▲ | $151,000 | +$35,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $225,000▲ | $183,000 | +$42,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $89,506 | $95,161▲ | -$5,655 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $133,980▲ | $109,032 | +$24,948 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $82,704 | $87,929▲ | -$5,225 |
| Total Employment | 7,000 | 5,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $27,000 more (median: $145,000 vs $118,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($89,506 vs $95,161 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.