Project Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Project Manager Salary: Dallas, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Project Managers in Dallas, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$95,000 vs $122,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$84,821 vs $75,309
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$78,375 vs $69,585
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $122,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,150 | $93,940▲ | -$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,600 | $156,160▲ | -$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $195,200▲ | -$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $84,821▲ | $75,309 | +$9,512 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $87,780 | $112,728▲ | -$24,948 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $78,375▲ | $69,585 | +$8,790 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 46,400 | -18,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $27,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $122,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($84,821 vs $75,309 equivalent). Dallas, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.