School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Oklahoma City, OK vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Oklahoma City, OK and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$39,000 vs $68,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Oklahoma City, OK
$45,349 vs $41,975
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Oklahoma City, OK
$39,912 vs $38,785
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $39,000 | $68,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,030 | $52,360▲ | -$22,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $49,920 | $87,040▲ | -$37,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $62,400 | $108,800▲ | -$46,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 86 | 162 | -76 |
| State Income Tax | 4.75% | 0%▲ | +4.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,349▲ | $41,975 | +$3,374 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $34,324 | $62,832▲ | -$28,508 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,912▲ | $38,785 | +$1,127 |
| Total Employment | 22,500 | 145,000 | -122,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Oklahoma City, OK minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $29,000 more (median: $39,000 vs $68,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 86 vs 162), Oklahoma City, OK provides better purchasing power ($45,349 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.