College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Seattle, WA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Seattle, WA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$94,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$58,025 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$53,615 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $94,000▲ | $85,000 | +$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,380▲ | $65,450 | +$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $120,320▲ | $108,800 | +$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $150,400▲ | $136,000 | +$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 162 | — |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $58,025▲ | $52,469 | +$5,556 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $86,856▲ | $74,613 | +$12,243 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $53,615▲ | $46,057 | +$7,558 |
| Total Employment | 87,000 | 63,000 | +24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $9,000 more (median: $94,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($58,025 vs $52,469 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.