College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: New York, NY vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in New York, NY and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$92,000 vs $94,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$49,198 vs $58,025
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$42,345 vs $53,615
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $92,000 | $94,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,840 | $72,380▲ | -$1,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $117,760 | $120,320▲ | -$2,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $147,200 | $150,400▲ | -$3,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 162 | +25 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 0%▲ | +6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $49,198 | $58,025▲ | -$8,827 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $79,185 | $86,856▲ | -$7,671 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,345 | $53,615▲ | -$11,270 |
| Total Employment | 102,000 | 87,000 | +15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $2,000 more (median: $92,000 vs $94,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($49,198 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.