School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Los Angeles, CA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$60,000 vs $68,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$34,682 vs $41,975
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$29,066 vs $38,785
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $60,000 | $68,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,200 | $52,360▲ | -$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,800 | $87,040▲ | -$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $96,000 | $108,800▲ | -$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 162 | +11 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $34,682 | $41,975▲ | -$7,293 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $50,284 | $62,832▲ | -$12,548 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $29,066 | $38,785▲ | -$9,719 |
| Total Employment | 120,000 | 145,000 | -25,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $8,000 more (median: $60,000 vs $68,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($34,682 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.