College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Dallas, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Dallas, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$73,000 vs $94,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$65,179 vs $58,025
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$60,225 vs $53,615
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $73,000 | $94,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,210 | $72,380▲ | -$16,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $93,440 | $120,320▲ | -$26,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $116,800 | $150,400▲ | -$33,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $65,179▲ | $58,025 | +$7,154 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $67,452 | $86,856▲ | -$19,404 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $60,225▲ | $53,615 | +$6,610 |
| Total Employment | 52,500 | 87,000 | -34,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $21,000 more (median: $73,000 vs $94,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($65,179 vs $58,025 equivalent). Dallas, TX 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.