Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Seattle, WA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Seattle, WA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$115,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$70,988 vs $66,406
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$65,593 vs $58,659
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $115,000▲ | $85,000 | +$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,000▲ | $65,000 | +$23,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,000▲ | $108,000 | +$40,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $180,000▲ | $132,000 | +$48,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $70,988▲ | $66,406 | +$4,582 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $106,260▲ | $75,084 | +$31,176 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $65,593▲ | $58,659 | +$6,934 |
| Total Employment | 32,000 | 20,000 | +12,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $30,000 more (median: $115,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($70,988 vs $66,406 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.