Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Pittsburgh, PA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$208,000 vs $248,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$231,111 vs $153,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$206,991 vs $141,452
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $208,000 | $248,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $156,000 | $186,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $272,000 | $325,000▲ | -$53,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $338,000 | $402,000▲ | -$64,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07% | 0%▲ | +3.07% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $231,111▲ | $153,086 | +$78,025 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $186,292 | $229,152▲ | -$42,860 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $206,991▲ | $141,452 | +$65,539 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 9,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $40,000 more (median: $208,000 vs $248,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 162), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($231,111 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.