School Counselor Pay

Biloxi vs Hattiesburg: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Biloxi, MS and Hattiesburg, MS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Biloxi, MS
$62,332
$29.97/hr
Hattiesburg, MS
$53,434
$25.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBiloxi, MSHattiesburg, MS
Median Salary$62,332$53,434
Hourly Rate$29.97$25.70
Entry Level (P10)$43,849$38,074
25th Percentile$49,137$38,583
75th Percentile$78,868$67,516
Top Earner (P90)$96,615$75,927
Total Employed8150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Biloxi ($62,332) and Hattiesburg ($53,434) school counselor salaries.BiloxiHattiesburgMedian Salary$62,332$53,434Entry Level (P10)$43,849$38,074Top Earner (P90)$96,615$75,927US Median $64,335

Verdict

Biloxi, MS offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hattiesburg.

The salary gap between Biloxi and Hattiesburg is $8,898 (16.65%). Biloxi's median is -3.11% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Biloxi spans $52,766,Hattiesburg spans $37,853. Biloxi has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Biloxi
P10 (Entry)$43,849
P25$49,137
Median$62,332
P75$78,868
P90 (Top)$96,615
Hattiesburg
P10 (Entry)$38,074
P25$38,583
Median$53,434
P75$67,516
P90 (Top)$75,927

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Biloxi ($72,733 effective) pays 19.28% more than Hattiesburg ($60,975 effective).

Biloxi
Nominal: $62,332
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $72,733
Hattiesburg
Nominal: $53,434
CoL Index: 87.633
Adjusted: $60,975

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Biloxi if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,332/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,615)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,733)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Hattiesburg if…

  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Biloxi grew 39.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 7.6% growth in Hattiesburg over the same period.

Biloxi, MS

+39.7%

$43,737 (2024) → $61,080 (2025)

Hattiesburg, MS

+7.6%

$48,660 (2019) → $52,361 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Biloxi or Hattiesburg?

Biloxi has a higher median school counselor salary at $62,332/year, compared to Hattiesburg at $53,434/year — a difference of $8,898 (16.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Biloxi and Hattiesburg?

Biloxi school counselors earn $29.97/hr while Hattiesburg hygienists earn $25.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Biloxi to Hattiesburg as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Biloxi and Hattiesburg. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Biloxi = $72,733, Hattiesburg = $60,975), job availability (8 vs 150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Biloxi vs Hattiesburg?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $43,849 in Biloxi and $38,074 in Hattiesburg. The Biloxi area offers higher starting salaries.
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