School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Seattle, WA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Seattle, WA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$68,000 vs $54,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$41,975 vs $42,188
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$38,785 vs $37,266
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $68,000▲ | $54,000 | +$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,360▲ | $41,580 | +$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $87,040▲ | $69,120 | +$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $108,800▲ | $86,400 | +$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $41,975 | $42,188▲ | -$213 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $62,832▲ | $47,701 | +$15,131 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $38,785▲ | $37,266 | +$1,519 |
| Total Employment | 145,000 | 70,000 | +75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $14,000 more (median: $68,000 vs $54,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($41,975 vs $42,188 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.