Physician Salary in Seattle, WA
Physicians in Seattle, WA earn a median of $248,000/year, ranging from $186,000 (25th percentile) to $402,000 (90th percentile). After Washington state taxes (0%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 162), this is equivalent to $153,086 in purchasing power vs the US average.
On the ground in Seattle, WA
UW Medicine and Swedish Medical Center anchor the physician job market here, alongside numerous smaller independent practices and urgent care networks. The no-income-tax advantage of Washington offsets some of Seattle's steep living costs - a two-bedroom in Capitol Hill or Ballard runs around $2,200 to $2,400 monthly on a median physician salary. Getting around means navigating either the light rail corridor running downtown to the University District or relying on a car; many physicians commute from more affordable suburbs like Renton or Tacoma via I-5, though that's a solid 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. The region's biotech and healthcare research ecosystem keeps competitive pressure on salaries, and the wet, gray winters mean seasonal affective disorder is something colleagues genuinely discuss in the break room.
1Salary Distribution in Seattle, WA
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Seattle, WA Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA (current) | $248,000 | 162 | $153,086 |
| San Francisco, CA | $260,000 | 186 | $139,785 |
| New York, NY | $250,000 | 187 | $133,690 |
| Boston, MA | $252,000 | 162 | $155,556 |
| Austin, TX | $225,000 | 124 | $181,452 |
| Denver, CO | $228,000 | 128 | $178,125 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Physician salary in Seattle, WA?
The median Physician salary in Seattle, WA is $248,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $186,000 and the 90th percentile is $402,000.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a Physician?
Seattle, WA has a cost of living index of 162 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $248,000 Physician salary in Seattle, WA is equivalent to $153,086 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Seattle, WA?
Seattle, WA has a cost of living index of 162, meaning it is 62% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Washington is approximately 0%.
What is the Physician salary range in Seattle, WA?
In Seattle, WA, Physicians earn between $186,000 (25th percentile) and $402,000 (90th percentile), with a median of $248,000 per year.
How many Physician jobs are there in Seattle, WA?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 9,000 Physician positions in the Seattle, WA metropolitan area.
What do Physicians earn in Seattle, WA?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Physicians in Seattle, WA earn a median annual wage of $248,000. The middle 50% earn between $186,000 and $325,000. The top 10% earn more than $402,000. There are approximately 9,000 Physicians employed in the Seattle, WA metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 2%.
Is Seattle, WA a good place for a Physician?
Seattle, WA has a cost of living index of 162 (US average = 100), making it 62% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Physician in Seattle, WA earning $248,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $153,086 relative to the US median. Washington has no state income tax, which is a significant financial advantage.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Seattle, WA?
Seattle, WA's cost of living index is 162, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $248,000 in Seattle, WAhas the same purchasing power as $153,086 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Seattle, WA with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
5Should You Work as a Physician in Seattle, WA?
The headline median of $248,000 is only part of the picture. Seattle, WA's cost of living index is 162 (US average = 100), meaning a dollar here buys roughly 62¢ of what it buys in an average US city. The $248,000 salary effectively purchases $153,086 worth of goods and services at national-average prices.
Housing is the single biggest driver of cost-of-living differences between metros. In Seattle, WA, the median household typically spends 35–45% of gross income on housing — significantly above the 28% "affordable" threshold most lenders use. For a $248,000 salary, that translates to roughly $99,200/year on housing alone.
State tax plays a meaningful but smaller role. Washington has no state income tax, which is typically worth 4–8% of gross salary versus a high-tax state. For this role, that's roughly $14,880 per year in additional take-home. After state tax and approximate federal FICA (~7.6%), the estimated take-home is $229,152. This excludes federal income tax, which varies by filing status and deductions.
For comparison, here are nearby alternatives: San Francisco, CA ($260,000 median, COL 186); New York, NY ($250,000 median, COL 187); Boston, MA ($252,000 median, COL 162). If you're optimizing for purchasing power, compare the COL-adjusted column in the table above and pick the highest number. If you're optimizing for career progression, weight total employment and yearly growth in the role — larger markets offer more lateral moves and promotion velocity, even when nominal pay is lower.
The 2% year-over-year growth rate for Physicians in Seattle, WA is a leading indicator of market health. A mature, slower-growth market — often higher-paid in absolute terms but with fewer open roles and slower lateral moves. For side-by-side comparisons, try the full city ranking for Physicians or the Washington state overview.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.