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