School Counselor Pay

Cedar Park vs Dallas: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Cedar Park, TX
$66,668
$32.05/hr
Dallas, TX
$76,386
$36.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCedar Park, TXDallas, TX
Median Salary$66,668$76,386
Hourly Rate$32.05$36.73
Entry Level (P10)$44,781$46,344
25th Percentile$51,281$56,735
75th Percentile$85,335$88,718
Top Earner (P90)$103,336$105,199
Total Employed127,980
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cedar Park ($66,668) and Dallas ($76,386) school counselor salaries.Cedar ParkDallasMedian Salary$66,668$76,386Entry Level (P10)$44,781$46,344Top Earner (P90)$103,336$105,199US Median $64,335

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cedar Park and Dallas is $9,718 (14.58%). 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 Cedar Park spans $58,555,Dallas spans $58,855. Dallas has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Cedar Park
P10 (Entry)$44,781
P25$51,281
Median$66,668
P75$85,335
P90 (Top)$103,336
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 6.70% more than Cedar Park ($69,446 effective).

Cedar Park
Nominal: $66,668
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $69,446
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 Cedar Park 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 Cedar Park grew 3.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.1% growth in Dallas over the same period.

Cedar Park, TX

+3.6%

$63,087 (2024) → $65,329 (2025)

Dallas, TX

+13.1%

$66,170 (2019) → $74,852 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Cedar Park or Dallas?

Dallas has a higher median school counselor salary at $76,386/year, compared to Cedar Park at $66,668/year — a difference of $9,718 (14.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cedar Park and Dallas?

Cedar Park school counselors earn $32.05/hr while Dallas hygienists earn $36.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cedar Park to Dallas as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cedar Park and Dallas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cedar Park = $69,446, Dallas = $74,096), job availability (12 vs 7,980 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $44,781 in Cedar Park and $46,344 in Dallas. The Dallas 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