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