Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Denver, CO vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Denver, CO and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$85,000 vs $115,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$66,406 vs $70,988
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$58,659 vs $65,593
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000 | $115,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,000 | $88,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,000 | $148,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $132,000 | $180,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,406 | $70,988▲ | -$4,582 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $75,084 | $106,260▲ | -$31,176 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,659 | $65,593▲ | -$6,934 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 32,000 | -12,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $30,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $115,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($66,406 vs $70,988 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.