Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Charlotte, NC vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Charlotte, NC and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$208,000 vs $248,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Charlotte, NC
$203,922 vs $153,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Charlotte, NC
$179,944 vs $141,452
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $208,000 | $248,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $156,000 | $186,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $272,000 | $325,000▲ | -$53,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $338,000 | $402,000▲ | -$64,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 162 | -60 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $203,922▲ | $153,086 | +$50,836 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $183,543 | $229,152▲ | -$45,609 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $179,944▲ | $141,452 | +$38,492 |
| Total Employment | 7,000 | 9,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Charlotte, NC minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $40,000 more (median: $208,000 vs $248,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 102 vs 162), Charlotte, NC provides better purchasing power ($203,922 vs $153,086 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.