School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Pittsburgh, PA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$44,000 vs $68,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$48,889 vs $41,975
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$43,787 vs $38,785
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $44,000 | $68,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,880 | $52,360▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,320 | $87,040▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $70,400 | $108,800▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07% | 0%▲ | +3.07% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $48,889▲ | $41,975 | +$6,914 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $39,408 | $62,832▲ | -$23,424 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $43,787▲ | $38,785 | +$5,002 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 145,000 | -110,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $24,000 more (median: $44,000 vs $68,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 162), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($48,889 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.