Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Seattle, WA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Seattle, WA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$248,000 vs $250,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$153,086 vs $133,690
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$141,452 vs $115,068
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $248,000 | $250,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $186,000 | $188,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $325,000 | $328,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $402,000 | $408,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 187 | -25 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $153,086▲ | $133,690 | +$19,396 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $229,152▲ | $215,177 | +$13,975 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $141,452▲ | $115,068 | +$26,384 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 22,000 | -13,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $2,000 more (median: $248,000 vs $250,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 187), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($153,086 vs $133,690 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.