School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: San Diego, CA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in San Diego, CA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$58,000 vs $68,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$38,158 vs $41,975
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$31,979 vs $38,785
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $58,000 | $68,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,660 | $52,360▲ | -$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,240 | $87,040▲ | -$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $92,800 | $108,800▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $38,158 | $41,975▲ | -$3,817 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,608 | $62,832▲ | -$14,224 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $31,979 | $38,785▲ | -$6,806 |
| Total Employment | 60,000 | 145,000 | -85,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $10,000 more (median: $58,000 vs $68,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($38,158 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.