Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Seattle, WA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Seattle, WA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$63,000 vs $52,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$38,889 vs $41,935
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$35,933 vs $38,748
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $63,000▲ | $52,000 | +$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,510▲ | $40,040 | +$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,640▲ | $66,560 | +$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $100,800▲ | $83,200 | +$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $38,889 | $41,935▲ | -$3,046 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $58,212▲ | $48,048 | +$10,164 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $35,933 | $38,748▲ | -$2,815 |
| Total Employment | 145,000 | 95,000 | +50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $11,000 more (median: $63,000 vs $52,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($38,889 vs $41,935 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.