School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Richmond, VA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Richmond, VA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$46,000 vs $68,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$45,545 vs $41,975
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$39,663 vs $38,785
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $46,000 | $68,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,420 | $52,360▲ | -$16,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $58,880 | $87,040▲ | -$28,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $73,600 | $108,800▲ | -$35,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 0%▲ | +5.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,545▲ | $41,975 | +$3,570 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $40,060 | $62,832▲ | -$22,772 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,663▲ | $38,785 | +$878 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 145,000 | -110,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $22,000 more (median: $46,000 vs $68,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($45,545 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.