School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Seattle, WA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Seattle, WA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$68,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$41,975 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$38,785 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $68,000▲ | $56,000 | +$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,360▲ | $43,120 | +$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $87,040▲ | $71,680 | +$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $108,800▲ | $89,600 | +$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $41,975 | $45,161▲ | -$3,186 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $62,832▲ | $51,744 | +$11,088 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $38,785 | $41,729▲ | -$2,944 |
| Total Employment | 145,000 | 95,000 | +50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $12,000 more (median: $68,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($41,975 vs $45,161 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.