School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Seattle, WA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Seattle, WA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$68,000 vs $67,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$41,975 vs $35,829
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$38,785 vs $30,838
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $68,000▲ | $67,000 | +$1,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,360▲ | $51,590 | +$770 |
| 75th Percentile | $87,040▲ | $85,760 | +$1,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $108,800▲ | $107,200 | +$1,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 187 | -25 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $41,975▲ | $35,829 | +$6,146 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $62,832▲ | $57,667 | +$5,165 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $38,785▲ | $30,838 | +$7,947 |
| Total Employment | 145,000 | 170,000 | -25,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $1,000 more (median: $68,000 vs $67,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 187), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($41,975 vs $35,829 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.