Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Denver, CO vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Denver, CO and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$228,000 vs $248,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$178,125 vs $153,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$157,345 vs $141,452
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $228,000 | $248,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $172,000 | $186,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $298,000 | $325,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $372,000 | $402,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $178,125▲ | $153,086 | +$25,039 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $201,402 | $229,152▲ | -$27,750 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $157,345▲ | $141,452 | +$15,893 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 9,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $20,000 more (median: $228,000 vs $248,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($178,125 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.