Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Portland, OR vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Portland, OR and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$230,000 vs $248,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$176,923 vs $153,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$149,173 vs $141,452
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $230,000 | $248,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $173,000 | $186,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $302,000 | $325,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $376,000 | $402,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 0%▲ | +8.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $176,923▲ | $153,086 | +$23,837 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $193,925 | $229,152▲ | -$35,227 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $149,173▲ | $141,452 | +$7,721 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 9,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $18,000 more (median: $230,000 vs $248,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($176,923 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.