Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Detroit, MI vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Detroit, MI and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$205,000 vs $248,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$230,337 vs $153,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$203,787 vs $141,452
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $205,000 | $248,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $154,000 | $186,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $268,000 | $325,000▲ | -$57,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $334,000 | $402,000▲ | -$68,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 162 | -73 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25% | 0%▲ | +4.25% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $230,337▲ | $153,086 | +$77,251 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $181,370 | $229,152▲ | -$47,782 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $203,787▲ | $141,452 | +$62,335 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 9,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $43,000 more (median: $205,000 vs $248,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 162), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($230,337 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.