Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Seattle, WA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Seattle, WA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$63,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$38,889 vs $33,155
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$35,933 vs $28,537
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $63,000▲ | $62,000 | +$1,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,510▲ | $47,740 | +$770 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,640▲ | $79,360 | +$1,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $100,800▲ | $99,200 | +$1,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 187 | -25 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $38,889▲ | $33,155 | +$5,734 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $58,212▲ | $53,364 | +$4,848 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $35,933▲ | $28,537 | +$7,396 |
| Total Employment | 145,000 | 170,000 | -25,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $1,000 more (median: $63,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 187), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($38,889 vs $33,155 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.