Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Richmond, VA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Richmond, VA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$218,000 vs $248,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$215,842 vs $153,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$187,970 vs $141,452
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $218,000 | $248,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $164,000 | $186,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $286,000 | $325,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $356,000 | $402,000▲ | -$46,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 0%▲ | +5.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $215,842▲ | $153,086 | +$62,756 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $189,850 | $229,152▲ | -$39,302 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $187,970▲ | $141,452 | +$46,518 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 9,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $30,000 more (median: $218,000 vs $248,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($215,842 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.