Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Seattle, WA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Seattle, WA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$248,000 vs $228,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$153,086 vs $178,125
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$141,452 vs $157,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $248,000▲ | $228,000 | +$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $186,000▲ | $172,000 | +$14,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $325,000▲ | $298,000 | +$27,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $402,000▲ | $372,000 | +$30,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $153,086 | $178,125▲ | -$25,039 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $229,152▲ | $201,402 | +$27,750 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $141,452 | $157,345▲ | -$15,893 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 6,000 | +3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $20,000 more (median: $248,000 vs $228,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($153,086 vs $178,125 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.