School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in San Francisco, CA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$70,000 vs $68,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$37,634 vs $41,975
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$31,540 vs $38,785
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $70,000▲ | $68,000 | +$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,900▲ | $52,360 | +$1,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $89,600▲ | $87,040 | +$2,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $112,000▲ | $108,800 | +$3,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $37,634 | $41,975▲ | -$4,341 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $58,665 | $62,832▲ | -$4,167 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $31,540 | $38,785▲ | -$7,245 |
| Total Employment | 130,000 | 145,000 | -15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $2,000 more (median: $70,000 vs $68,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($37,634 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.