Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Portland, OR vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Portland, OR and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$52,000 vs $63,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$40,000 vs $38,889
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$33,726 vs $35,933
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $52,000 | $63,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,040 | $48,510▲ | -$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $66,560 | $80,640▲ | -$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $83,200 | $100,800▲ | -$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 0%▲ | +8.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $40,000▲ | $38,889 | +$1,111 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $43,844 | $58,212▲ | -$14,368 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $33,726 | $35,933▲ | -$2,207 |
| Total Employment | 50,000 | 145,000 | -95,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $11,000 more (median: $52,000 vs $63,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($40,000 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.