Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: New York, NY vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in New York, NY and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$250,000 vs $248,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$133,690 vs $153,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$115,068 vs $141,452
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $250,000▲ | $248,000 | +$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $188,000▲ | $186,000 | +$2,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $328,000▲ | $325,000 | +$3,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $408,000▲ | $402,000 | +$6,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 162 | +25 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 0%▲ | +6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $133,690 | $153,086▲ | -$19,396 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $215,177 | $229,152▲ | -$13,975 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $115,068 | $141,452▲ | -$26,384 |
| Total Employment | 22,000 | 9,000 | +13,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $2,000 more (median: $250,000 vs $248,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($133,690 vs $153,086 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
4More Physician City Comparisons
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.