School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Denver, CO vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Denver, CO and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$54,000 vs $68,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$42,188 vs $41,975
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$37,266 vs $38,785
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $54,000 | $68,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,580 | $52,360▲ | -$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $69,120 | $87,040▲ | -$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $86,400 | $108,800▲ | -$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,188▲ | $41,975 | +$213 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $47,701 | $62,832▲ | -$15,131 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $37,266 | $38,785▲ | -$1,519 |
| Total Employment | 70,000 | 145,000 | -75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $14,000 more (median: $54,000 vs $68,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($42,188 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.