College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Memphis, TN vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Memphis, TN and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$52,000 vs $94,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$62,651 vs $58,025
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$57,889 vs $53,615
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $52,000 | $94,000▲ | -$42,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,040 | $72,380▲ | -$32,340 |
| 75th Percentile | $66,560 | $120,320▲ | -$53,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $83,200 | $150,400▲ | -$67,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 162 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,651▲ | $58,025 | +$4,626 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,048 | $86,856▲ | -$38,808 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $57,889▲ | $53,615 | +$4,274 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 87,000 | -75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $42,000 more (median: $52,000 vs $94,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 162), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($62,651 vs $58,025 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.