Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Memphis, TN vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Memphis, TN and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$35,000 vs $63,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$42,169 vs $38,889
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$38,964 vs $35,933
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $35,000 | $63,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,950 | $48,510▲ | -$21,560 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,800 | $80,640▲ | -$35,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $56,000 | $100,800▲ | -$44,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 162 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,169▲ | $38,889 | +$3,280 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $32,340 | $58,212▲ | -$25,872 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $38,964▲ | $35,933 | +$3,031 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 145,000 | -125,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $28,000 more (median: $35,000 vs $63,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 162), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($42,169 vs $38,889 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.