Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Seattle, WA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Seattle, WA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$145,000 vs $120,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$89,506 vs $93,750
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$82,704 vs $82,813
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $145,000▲ | $120,000 | +$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $112,000▲ | $93,000 | +$19,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $186,000▲ | $154,000 | +$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $225,000▲ | $186,000 | +$39,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $89,506 | $93,750▲ | -$4,244 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $133,980▲ | $106,001 | +$27,979 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $82,704 | $82,813▲ | -$109 |
| Total Employment | 7,000 | 4,000 | +3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $25,000 more (median: $145,000 vs $120,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($89,506 vs $93,750 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.