College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Seattle, WA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Seattle, WA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$94,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$58,025 vs $62,097
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$53,615 vs $57,377
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $94,000▲ | $77,000 | +$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,380▲ | $59,290 | +$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $120,320▲ | $98,560 | +$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $150,400▲ | $123,200 | +$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $58,025 | $62,097▲ | -$4,072 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $86,856▲ | $71,148 | +$15,708 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $53,615 | $57,377▲ | -$3,762 |
| Total Employment | 87,000 | 57,000 | +30,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $17,000 more (median: $94,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($58,025 vs $62,097 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.