Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Chicago, IL vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Chicago, IL and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$235,000 vs $248,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$219,626 vs $153,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$192,890 vs $141,452
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $235,000 | $248,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $177,000 | $186,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $308,000 | $325,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $382,000 | $402,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 0%▲ | +4.95% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $219,626▲ | $153,086 | +$66,540 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $206,392 | $229,152▲ | -$22,760 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $192,890▲ | $141,452 | +$51,438 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 9,000 | +3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $13,000 more (median: $235,000 vs $248,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($219,626 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.