School Counselor Pay

Bastrop vs Dallas: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Bastrop, TX
$63,949
$30.75/hr
Dallas, TX
$76,386
$36.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBastrop, TXDallas, TX
Median Salary$63,949$76,386
Hourly Rate$30.75$36.73
Entry Level (P10)$46,883$46,344
25th Percentile$51,545$56,735
75th Percentile$79,968$88,718
Top Earner (P90)$97,617$105,199
Total Employed67,980
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bastrop ($63,949) and Dallas ($76,386) school counselor salaries.BastropDallasMedian Salary$63,949$76,386Entry Level (P10)$46,883$46,344Top Earner (P90)$97,617$105,199US Median $64,335

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bastrop.

The salary gap between Bastrop and Dallas is $12,437 (19.45%). Dallas's median is +18.73% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bastrop spans $50,734,Dallas spans $58,855. Dallas has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Bastrop
P10 (Entry)$46,883
P25$51,545
Median$63,949
P75$79,968
P90 (Top)$97,617
Dallas
P10 (Entry)$46,344
P25$56,735
Median$76,386
P75$88,718
P90 (Top)$105,199

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($74,096 effective) pays 11.23% more than Bastrop ($66,614 effective).

Bastrop
Nominal: $63,949
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $66,614
Dallas
Nominal: $76,386
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $74,096

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bastrop if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,386/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($105,199)
  • Larger job market (7,980 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,096)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Bastrop grew 3.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.1% growth in Dallas over the same period.

Bastrop, TX

+3.6%

$60,514 (2024) → $62,664 (2025)

Dallas, TX

+13.1%

$66,170 (2019) → $74,852 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Bastrop or Dallas?

Dallas has a higher median school counselor salary at $76,386/year, compared to Bastrop at $63,949/year — a difference of $12,437 (19.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bastrop and Dallas?

Bastrop school counselors earn $30.75/hr while Dallas hygienists earn $36.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bastrop to Dallas as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bastrop and Dallas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bastrop = $66,614, Dallas = $74,096), job availability (6 vs 7,980 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Bastrop vs Dallas?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $46,883 in Bastrop and $46,344 in Dallas. The Bastrop 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