School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: El Paso, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in El Paso, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$35,000 vs $68,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$41,176 vs $41,975
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$38,047 vs $38,785
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $35,000 | $68,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,950 | $52,360▲ | -$25,410 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,800 | $87,040▲ | -$42,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $56,000 | $108,800▲ | -$52,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $41,176 | $41,975▲ | -$799 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $32,340 | $62,832▲ | -$30,492 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $38,047 | $38,785▲ | -$738 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 145,000 | -130,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $33,000 more (median: $35,000 vs $68,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($41,176 vs $41,975 equivalent). El Paso, 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.