College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Denver, CO vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Denver, CO and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$74,000 vs $94,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$57,813 vs $58,025
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$51,068 vs $53,615
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $74,000 | $94,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,980 | $72,380▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $94,720 | $120,320▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $118,400 | $150,400▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,813 | $58,025▲ | -$212 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $65,367 | $86,856▲ | -$21,489 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $51,068 | $53,615▲ | -$2,547 |
| Total Employment | 42,000 | 87,000 | -45,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $20,000 more (median: $74,000 vs $94,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($57,813 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.