College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Boston, MA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Boston, MA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$85,000 vs $94,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$52,469 vs $58,025
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$46,057 vs $53,615
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000 | $94,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,450 | $72,380▲ | -$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,800 | $120,320▲ | -$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $136,000 | $150,400▲ | -$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 162 | — |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $52,469 | $58,025▲ | -$5,556 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $74,613 | $86,856▲ | -$12,243 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $46,057 | $53,615▲ | -$7,558 |
| Total Employment | 63,000 | 87,000 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $9,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $94,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($52,469 vs $58,025 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.