School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Nashville, TN vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Nashville, TN and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$47,000 vs $68,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$42,727 vs $41,975
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$39,480 vs $38,785
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $47,000 | $68,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,190 | $52,360▲ | -$16,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $60,160 | $87,040▲ | -$26,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $75,200 | $108,800▲ | -$33,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,727▲ | $41,975 | +$752 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $43,428 | $62,832▲ | -$19,404 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,480▲ | $38,785 | +$695 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 145,000 | -100,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $21,000 more (median: $47,000 vs $68,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($42,727 vs $41,975 equivalent). Nashville, 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.