Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Oklahoma City, OK vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Oklahoma City, OK and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$36,000 vs $63,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Oklahoma City, OK
$41,860 vs $38,889
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Oklahoma City, OK
$36,842 vs $35,933
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $36,000 | $63,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,720 | $48,510▲ | -$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $46,080 | $80,640▲ | -$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $57,600 | $100,800▲ | -$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 86 | 162 | -76 |
| State Income Tax | 4.75% | 0%▲ | +4.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $41,860▲ | $38,889 | +$2,971 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $31,684 | $58,212▲ | -$26,528 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $36,842▲ | $35,933 | +$909 |
| Total Employment | 22,500 | 145,000 | -122,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Oklahoma City, OK minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $27,000 more (median: $36,000 vs $63,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 86 vs 162), Oklahoma City, OK provides better purchasing power ($41,860 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.