School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Memphis, TN vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Memphis, TN and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$38,000 vs $68,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$45,783 vs $41,975
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$42,304 vs $38,785
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $38,000 | $68,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,260 | $52,360▲ | -$23,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,640 | $87,040▲ | -$38,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $60,800 | $108,800▲ | -$48,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 162 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,783▲ | $41,975 | +$3,808 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $35,112 | $62,832▲ | -$27,720 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,304▲ | $38,785 | +$3,519 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 145,000 | -125,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $30,000 more (median: $38,000 vs $68,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 162), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($45,783 vs $41,975 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.