School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Columbus, OH vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Columbus, OH and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$45,000 vs $68,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$49,451 vs $41,975
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$43,869 vs $38,785
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $45,000 | $68,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,650 | $52,360▲ | -$17,710 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,600 | $87,040▲ | -$29,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $72,000 | $108,800▲ | -$36,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99% | 0%▲ | +3.99% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $49,451▲ | $41,975 | +$7,476 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $39,921 | $62,832▲ | -$22,911 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $43,869▲ | $38,785 | +$5,084 |
| Total Employment | 40,000 | 145,000 | -105,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $23,000 more (median: $45,000 vs $68,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($49,451 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.