College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Seattle, WA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Seattle, WA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$94,000 vs $74,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$58,025 vs $57,813
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$53,615 vs $51,068
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $94,000▲ | $74,000 | +$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,380▲ | $56,980 | +$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $120,320▲ | $94,720 | +$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $150,400▲ | $118,400 | +$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $58,025▲ | $57,813 | +$212 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $86,856▲ | $65,367 | +$21,489 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $53,615▲ | $51,068 | +$2,547 |
| Total Employment | 87,000 | 42,000 | +45,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $20,000 more (median: $94,000 vs $74,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($58,025 vs $57,813 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.