Project Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Project Manager Salary: New York, NY vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Project Managers in New York, NY and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$121,000 vs $122,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$64,706 vs $75,309
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$55,693 vs $69,585
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $121,000 | $122,000▲ | -$1,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $93,170 | $93,940▲ | -$770 |
| 75th Percentile | $154,880 | $156,160▲ | -$1,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $193,600 | $195,200▲ | -$1,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 162 | +25 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 0%▲ | +6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $64,706 | $75,309▲ | -$10,603 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $104,145 | $112,728▲ | -$8,583 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $55,693 | $69,585▲ | -$13,892 |
| Total Employment | 54,400 | 46,400 | +8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $1,000 more (median: $121,000 vs $122,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($64,706 vs $75,309 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.