School Counselor Pay

Austin vs Duncanville: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Austin, TX and Duncanville, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Austin, TX
$61,576
$29.60/hr
Duncanville, TX
$64,857
$31.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXDuncanville, TX
Median Salary$61,576$64,857
Hourly Rate$29.60$31.18
Entry Level (P10)$45,794$44,213
25th Percentile$50,025$52,595
75th Percentile$76,757$83,017
Top Earner (P90)$98,349$100,528
Total Employed3,5008
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($61,576) and Duncanville ($64,857) school counselor salaries.AustinDuncanvilleMedian Salary$61,576$64,857Entry Level (P10)$45,794$44,213Top Earner (P90)$98,349$100,528US Median $64,335

Verdict

Duncanville, TX offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Austin.

The salary gap between Austin and Duncanville is $3,281 (5.33%). Duncanville's median is +0.81% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Austin spans $52,555,Duncanville spans $56,315. Duncanville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Austin
P10 (Entry)$45,794
P25$50,025
Median$61,576
P75$76,757
P90 (Top)$98,349
Duncanville
P10 (Entry)$44,213
P25$52,595
Median$64,857
P75$83,017
P90 (Top)$100,528

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duncanville ($67,559 effective) pays 7.60% more than Austin ($62,790 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $61,576
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $62,790
Duncanville
Nominal: $64,857
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $67,559

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Austin if…

  • Larger job market (3,500 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Duncanville if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,857/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($100,528)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,559)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Austin grew 4.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.6% growth in Duncanville over the same period.

Austin, TX

+4.4%

$57,770 (2019) → $60,339 (2025)

Duncanville, TX

+3.6%

$61,373 (2024) → $63,554 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Austin or Duncanville?

Duncanville has a higher median school counselor salary at $64,857/year, compared to Austin at $61,576/year — a difference of $3,281 (5.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and Duncanville?

Austin school counselors earn $29.60/hr while Duncanville hygienists earn $31.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austin to Duncanville as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and Duncanville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $62,790, Duncanville = $67,559), job availability (3,500 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Austin vs Duncanville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $45,794 in Austin and $44,213 in Duncanville. The Austin area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed.

Content Lead

Maria has over 10 years of experience in school counseling. She specializes in academic and emotional support for high school students. She works at a public high school in California.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, M.A.Data verified by Linda Chen, LPC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.05% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov