Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: El Paso, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in El Paso, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$188,000 vs $248,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$221,176 vs $153,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$204,367 vs $141,452
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $188,000 | $248,000▲ | -$60,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $141,000 | $186,000▲ | -$45,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $246,000 | $325,000▲ | -$79,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $306,000 | $402,000▲ | -$96,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $221,176▲ | $153,086 | +$68,090 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $173,712 | $229,152▲ | -$55,440 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $204,367▲ | $141,452 | +$62,915 |
| Total Employment | 3,000 | 9,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $60,000 more (median: $188,000 vs $248,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($221,176 vs $153,086 equivalent). El Paso, TX 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.