Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Oklahoma City, OK vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Oklahoma City, OK and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$60,000 vs $115,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$69,767 vs $70,988
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$61,403 vs $65,593
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $60,000 | $115,000▲ | -$55,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,000 | $88,000▲ | -$42,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,000 | $148,000▲ | -$71,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $94,000 | $180,000▲ | -$86,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 86 | 162 | -76 |
| State Income Tax | 4.75% | 0%▲ | +4.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $69,767 | $70,988▲ | -$1,221 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $52,807 | $106,260▲ | -$53,453 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,403 | $65,593▲ | -$4,190 |
| Total Employment | 18,000 | 32,000 | -14,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Oklahoma City, OK minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $55,000 more (median: $60,000 vs $115,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 86 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($69,767 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.