Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: El Paso, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in El Paso, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$33,000 vs $63,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$38,824 vs $38,889
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$35,873 vs $35,933
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $33,000 | $63,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $25,410 | $48,510▲ | -$23,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $42,240 | $80,640▲ | -$38,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $52,800 | $100,800▲ | -$48,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $38,824 | $38,889▲ | -$65 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $30,492 | $58,212▲ | -$27,720 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $35,873 | $35,933▲ | -$60 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 145,000 | -130,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $30,000 more (median: $33,000 vs $63,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($38,824 vs $38,889 equivalent). El Paso, 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.