College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: El Paso, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in El Paso, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$48,000 vs $94,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$56,471 vs $58,025
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$52,179 vs $53,615
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $48,000 | $94,000▲ | -$46,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,960 | $72,380▲ | -$35,420 |
| 75th Percentile | $61,440 | $120,320▲ | -$58,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $76,800 | $150,400▲ | -$73,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $56,471 | $58,025▲ | -$1,554 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,352 | $86,856▲ | -$42,504 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $52,179 | $53,615▲ | -$1,436 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 87,000 | -78,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $46,000 more (median: $48,000 vs $94,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($56,471 vs $58,025 equivalent). El Paso, 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.