Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Dallas, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Dallas, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$49,000 vs $63,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$43,750 vs $38,889
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$40,425 vs $35,933
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $49,000 | $63,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,730 | $48,510▲ | -$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,720 | $80,640▲ | -$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $78,400 | $100,800▲ | -$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $43,750▲ | $38,889 | +$4,861 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $45,276 | $58,212▲ | -$12,936 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $40,425▲ | $35,933 | +$4,492 |
| Total Employment | 87,500 | 145,000 | -57,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $14,000 more (median: $49,000 vs $63,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($43,750 vs $38,889 equivalent). Dallas, TX 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.