Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Raleigh, NC and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$46,000 vs $63,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$44,660 vs $38,889
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$39,409 vs $35,933
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $46,000 | $63,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,420 | $48,510▲ | -$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $58,880 | $80,640▲ | -$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $73,600 | $100,800▲ | -$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $44,660▲ | $38,889 | +$5,771 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $40,591 | $58,212▲ | -$17,621 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,409▲ | $35,933 | +$3,476 |
| Total Employment | 55,000 | 145,000 | -90,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $17,000 more (median: $46,000 vs $63,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($44,660 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.