Project Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Project Manager Salary: Seattle, WA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Project Managers in Seattle, WA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$122,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$75,309 vs $81,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$69,585 vs $75,261
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $122,000▲ | $101,000 | +$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $93,940▲ | $77,770 | +$16,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $156,160▲ | $129,280 | +$26,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $195,200▲ | $161,600 | +$33,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $75,309 | $81,452▲ | -$6,143 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $112,728▲ | $93,324 | +$19,404 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $69,585 | $75,261▲ | -$5,676 |
| Total Employment | 46,400 | 30,400 | +16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $21,000 more (median: $122,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($75,309 vs $81,452 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.