Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Louisville, KY vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Louisville, KY and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$200,000 vs $248,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$229,885 vs $153,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$203,917 vs $141,452
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $200,000 | $248,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $150,000 | $186,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $262,000 | $325,000▲ | -$63,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $326,000 | $402,000▲ | -$76,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $229,885▲ | $153,086 | +$76,799 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $177,408 | $229,152▲ | -$51,744 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $203,917▲ | $141,452 | +$62,465 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 9,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $48,000 more (median: $200,000 vs $248,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($229,885 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.