Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
Seattle, WA vs Philadelphia, PA

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Seattle, WA
$202,359
/ year
+29%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$156,912
/ year
Bottom line: Philadelphia offers better purchasing power despite Seattle paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Seattle
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$202,359✓ higher
$156,912
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$130,865✓ higher
$101,474
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$312,912✓ higher
$242,637
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$135,426✓ higher
$105,416
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$142,506
$145,289✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$130,865✓ higher
$101,474
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$312,912✓ higher
$242,637

What if you move from Seattle to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$45,447
29% decrease
Take-home change
$30,010
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,783
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Seattle, WA$202,359
P10: $130,865Median: $202,359P90: $312,912
Philadelphia, PA$156,912
P10: $101,474Median: $156,912P90: $242,637

More Software Engineer salary comparisons

Seattle vs New YorkSeattle vs Los AngelesSeattle vs ChicagoSeattle vs HoustonSeattle vs PhoenixSeattle vs San AntonioAll Software Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Software Engineer earn more in Seattle or Philadelphia?

The median Software Engineer salary in Seattle, WA is $202,359/yr compared to $156,912/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Seattle pays 29% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Software Engineer salary worth more in Seattle or Philadelphia after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Seattle salary has the purchasing power of $142,506/yr in a median-cost city, vs $145,289/yr for Philadelphia. Philadelphia offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in Seattle vs Philadelphia?

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $135,426/yr, vs $105,416/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.