School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Salt Lake City, UT and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$48,000 vs $68,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$42,857 vs $41,975
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$37,759 vs $38,785
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $48,000 | $68,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,960 | $52,360▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $61,440 | $87,040▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $76,800 | $108,800▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65% | 0%▲ | +4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,857▲ | $41,975 | +$882 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $42,290 | $62,832▲ | -$20,542 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $37,759 | $38,785▲ | -$1,026 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 145,000 | -100,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $20,000 more (median: $48,000 vs $68,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($42,857 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.