Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Seattle, WA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Seattle, WA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$248,000 vs $225,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$153,086 vs $181,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$141,452 vs $167,661
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $248,000▲ | $225,000 | +$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $186,000▲ | $168,000 | +$18,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $325,000▲ | $295,000 | +$30,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $402,000▲ | $368,000 | +$34,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $153,086 | $181,452▲ | -$28,366 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $229,152▲ | $207,900 | +$21,252 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $141,452 | $167,661▲ | -$26,209 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 6,000 | +3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $23,000 more (median: $248,000 vs $225,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($153,086 vs $181,452 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.