Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Salt Lake City, UT and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$212,000 vs $248,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$189,286 vs $153,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$166,767 vs $141,452
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $212,000 | $248,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $159,000 | $186,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $278,000 | $325,000▲ | -$47,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $346,000 | $402,000▲ | -$56,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65% | 0%▲ | +4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $189,286▲ | $153,086 | +$36,200 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $186,779 | $229,152▲ | -$42,373 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $166,767▲ | $141,452 | +$25,315 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 9,000 | -4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $36,000 more (median: $212,000 vs $248,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($189,286 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.