School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Raleigh, NC and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$50,000 vs $68,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$48,544 vs $41,975
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$42,836 vs $38,785
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $50,000 | $68,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,500 | $52,360▲ | -$13,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $64,000 | $87,040▲ | -$23,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $80,000 | $108,800▲ | -$28,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $48,544▲ | $41,975 | +$6,569 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,121 | $62,832▲ | -$18,711 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,836▲ | $38,785 | +$4,051 |
| Total Employment | 55,000 | 145,000 | -90,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $18,000 more (median: $50,000 vs $68,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($48,544 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.