School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Austin, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Austin, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$56,000 vs $68,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$45,161 vs $41,975
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$41,729 vs $38,785
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $56,000 | $68,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $43,120 | $52,360▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,680 | $87,040▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $89,600 | $108,800▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 162 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,161▲ | $41,975 | +$3,186 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $51,744 | $62,832▲ | -$11,088 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $41,729▲ | $38,785 | +$2,944 |
| Total Employment | 95,000 | 145,000 | -50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $12,000 more (median: $56,000 vs $68,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 162), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($45,161 vs $41,975 equivalent). Austin, TX 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.