Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Los Angeles, CA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Los Angeles, CA
$118,000 vs $115,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$68,208 vs $70,988
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$57,163 vs $65,593
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $118,000▲ | $115,000 | +$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $90,000▲ | $88,000 | +$2,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $151,000▲ | $148,000 | +$3,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $183,000▲ | $180,000 | +$3,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 162 | +11 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $68,208 | $70,988▲ | -$2,780 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $98,892 | $106,260▲ | -$7,368 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $57,163 | $65,593▲ | -$8,430 |
| Total Employment | 65,000 | 32,000 | +33,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Los Angeles, CA pays $3,000 more (median: $118,000 vs $115,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($68,208 vs $70,988 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
4More Registered Nurse City Comparisons
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.