College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Los Angeles, CA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$83,000 vs $94,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$47,977 vs $58,025
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$40,208 vs $53,615
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $83,000 | $94,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,910 | $72,380▲ | -$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,240 | $120,320▲ | -$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $132,800 | $150,400▲ | -$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 162 | +11 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,977 | $58,025▲ | -$10,048 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $69,560 | $86,856▲ | -$17,296 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $40,208 | $53,615▲ | -$13,407 |
| Total Employment | 72,000 | 87,000 | -15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $11,000 more (median: $83,000 vs $94,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($47,977 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.