Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Los Angeles, CA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Los Angeles, CA
$255,000 vs $248,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$147,399 vs $153,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$123,530 vs $141,452
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $255,000▲ | $248,000 | +$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $191,000▲ | $186,000 | +$5,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $334,000▲ | $325,000 | +$9,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $415,000▲ | $402,000 | +$13,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 162 | +11 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $147,399 | $153,086▲ | -$5,687 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $213,707 | $229,152▲ | -$15,445 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $123,530 | $141,452▲ | -$17,922 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 9,000 | +11,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Los Angeles, CA pays $7,000 more (median: $255,000 vs $248,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($147,399 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.