School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Chicago, IL vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Chicago, IL and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$51,000 vs $68,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$47,664 vs $41,975
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$41,861 vs $38,785
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $51,000 | $68,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,270 | $52,360▲ | -$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,280 | $87,040▲ | -$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $81,600 | $108,800▲ | -$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 0%▲ | +4.95% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,664▲ | $41,975 | +$5,689 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,791 | $62,832▲ | -$18,041 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $41,861▲ | $38,785 | +$3,076 |
| Total Employment | 87,500 | 145,000 | -57,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $17,000 more (median: $51,000 vs $68,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($47,664 vs $41,975 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.