College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Richmond, VA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Richmond, VA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$63,000 vs $94,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$62,376 vs $58,025
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$54,322 vs $53,615
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $63,000 | $94,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,510 | $72,380▲ | -$23,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,640 | $120,320▲ | -$39,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $100,800 | $150,400▲ | -$49,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 0%▲ | +5.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,376▲ | $58,025 | +$4,351 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $54,865 | $86,856▲ | -$31,991 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,322▲ | $53,615 | +$707 |
| Total Employment | 21,000 | 87,000 | -66,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $31,000 more (median: $63,000 vs $94,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($62,376 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.