Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Seattle, WA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Seattle, WA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$63,000 vs $50,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$38,889 vs $39,063
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$35,933 vs $34,505
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $63,000▲ | $50,000 | +$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,510▲ | $38,500 | +$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,640▲ | $64,000 | +$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $100,800▲ | $80,000 | +$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $38,889 | $39,063▲ | -$174 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $58,212▲ | $44,167 | +$14,045 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $35,933▲ | $34,505 | +$1,428 |
| Total Employment | 145,000 | 70,000 | +75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $13,000 more (median: $63,000 vs $50,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($38,889 vs $39,063 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.