Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Seattle, WA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Seattle, WA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$115,000 vs $130,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$70,988 vs $69,892
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$65,593 vs $58,575
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $115,000 | $130,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,000 | $100,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,000 | $165,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $180,000 | $200,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 186 | -24 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $70,988▲ | $69,892 | +$1,096 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $106,260 | $108,949▲ | -$2,689 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $65,593▲ | $58,575 | +$7,018 |
| Total Employment | 32,000 | 28,000 | +4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $15,000 more (median: $115,000 vs $130,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 186), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($70,988 vs $69,892 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.