Salary Comparison

UX Researcher Salary:
Seattle, WA vs Toronto

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

Seattle, WA
$157,531
/ year
+43%
difference
Toronto
$110,174
/ year
Bottom line: Seattle wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Seattle
Toronto
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$157,531✓ higher
$110,174
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$101,875✓ higher
$71,249
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$243,594✓ higher
$170,365
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$105,789✓ higher
$74,918
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$110,937✓ higher
$88,139
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.25×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$101,875✓ higher
$96,899
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$243,594✓ higher
$231,696

What if you move from Seattle to Toronto?

Gross salary change
$47,357
43% decrease
Take-home change
$30,871
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$22,798
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$157,531
P10: $101,875Median: $157,531P90: $243,594
Toronto$110,174
P10: $96,899Median: $110,174P90: $231,696

More UX Researcher salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a UX Researcher earn more in Seattle or Toronto?

The median UX Researcher salary in Seattle, WA is $157,531/yr compared to CA$149,837/yr in Toronto. Seattle pays 43% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Researcher salary worth more in Seattle or Toronto after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Seattle salary has the purchasing power of $110,937/yr in a median-cost city, vs $88,139/yr for Toronto. Seattle offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a UX Researcher in Seattle vs Toronto?

After estimated taxes, a UX Researcher in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $105,789/yr, vs $74,918/yr in Toronto. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.