School Counselor Pay

Austin vs Weatherford: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Austin, TX
$61,576
$29.60/hr
Weatherford, TX
$65,173
$31.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXWeatherford, TX
Median Salary$61,576$65,173
Hourly Rate$29.60$31.33
Entry Level (P10)$45,794$44,953
25th Percentile$50,025$54,687
75th Percentile$76,757$81,921
Top Earner (P90)$98,349$100,912
Total Employed3,5009
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($61,576) and Weatherford ($65,173) school counselor salaries.AustinWeatherfordMedian Salary$61,576$65,173Entry Level (P10)$45,794$44,953Top Earner (P90)$98,349$100,912US Median $64,335

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Austin and Weatherford is $3,597 (5.84%). Weatherford's median is +1.30% 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,Weatherford spans $55,959. Weatherford 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
Weatherford
P10 (Entry)$44,953
P25$54,687
Median$65,173
P75$81,921
P90 (Top)$100,912

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Weatherford ($67,889 effective) pays 8.12% more than Austin ($62,790 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $61,576
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $62,790
Weatherford
Nominal: $65,173
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $67,889

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 Weatherford if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,173/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($100,912)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,889)
  • 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 Weatherford over the same period.

Austin, TX

+4.4%

$57,770 (2019) → $60,339 (2025)

Weatherford, TX

+3.6%

$61,673 (2024) → $63,864 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Austin or Weatherford?

Weatherford has a higher median school counselor salary at $65,173/year, compared to Austin at $61,576/year — a difference of $3,597 (5.84%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and Weatherford?

Austin school counselors earn $29.60/hr while Weatherford hygienists earn $31.33/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and Weatherford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $62,790, Weatherford = $67,889), job availability (3,500 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $45,794 in Austin and $44,953 in Weatherford. 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