College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Columbus, OH vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Columbus, OH and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$62,000 vs $94,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$68,132 vs $58,025
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$60,442 vs $53,615
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $62,000 | $94,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,740 | $72,380▲ | -$24,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,360 | $120,320▲ | -$40,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $99,200 | $150,400▲ | -$51,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99% | 0%▲ | +3.99% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $68,132▲ | $58,025 | +$10,107 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $55,002 | $86,856▲ | -$31,854 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $60,442▲ | $53,615 | +$6,827 |
| Total Employment | 24,000 | 87,000 | -63,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $32,000 more (median: $62,000 vs $94,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($68,132 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.