Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Denver, CO vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Denver, CO and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$50,000 vs $63,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$39,063 vs $38,889
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$34,505 vs $35,933
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $50,000 | $63,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,500 | $48,510▲ | -$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $64,000 | $80,640▲ | -$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $80,000 | $100,800▲ | -$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $39,063▲ | $38,889 | +$174 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,167 | $58,212▲ | -$14,045 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $34,505 | $35,933▲ | -$1,428 |
| Total Employment | 70,000 | 145,000 | -75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $13,000 more (median: $50,000 vs $63,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($39,063 vs $38,889 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.