Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Washington, DC vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Washington, DC and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$242,000 vs $248,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$159,211 vs $153,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$137,548 vs $141,452
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $242,000 | $248,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $182,000 | $186,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $317,000 | $325,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $394,000 | $402,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $159,211▲ | $153,086 | +$6,125 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $209,073 | $229,152▲ | -$20,079 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $137,548 | $141,452▲ | -$3,904 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 9,000 | +1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $6,000 more (median: $242,000 vs $248,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($159,211 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.