College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Nashville, TN vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Nashville, TN and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$65,000 vs $94,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$59,091 vs $58,025
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$54,600 vs $53,615
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000 | $94,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,050 | $72,380▲ | -$22,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,200 | $120,320▲ | -$37,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000 | $150,400▲ | -$46,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $59,091▲ | $58,025 | +$1,066 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,060 | $86,856▲ | -$26,796 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,600▲ | $53,615 | +$985 |
| Total Employment | 27,000 | 87,000 | -60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $29,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $94,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($59,091 vs $58,025 equivalent). Nashville, 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.