Project Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Project Manager Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Project Managers in Raleigh, NC and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$90,000 vs $122,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$87,379 vs $75,309
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$77,105 vs $69,585
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $122,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,300 | $93,940▲ | -$24,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $115,200 | $156,160▲ | -$40,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $144,000 | $195,200▲ | -$51,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $87,379▲ | $75,309 | +$12,070 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $79,418 | $112,728▲ | -$33,310 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $77,105▲ | $69,585 | +$7,520 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 46,400 | -28,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $32,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $122,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($87,379 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.