School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Detroit, MI vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Detroit, MI and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$43,000 vs $68,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$48,315 vs $41,975
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$42,745 vs $38,785
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $43,000 | $68,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,110 | $52,360▲ | -$19,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $55,040 | $87,040▲ | -$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $68,800 | $108,800▲ | -$40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 162 | -73 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25% | 0%▲ | +4.25% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $48,315▲ | $41,975 | +$6,340 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $38,043 | $62,832▲ | -$24,789 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,745▲ | $38,785 | +$3,960 |
| Total Employment | 37,500 | 145,000 | -107,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $25,000 more (median: $43,000 vs $68,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 162), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($48,315 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.