School Counselor Pay

Coeur d'Alene vs Moscow: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Coeur d'Alene, ID and Moscow, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Coeur d'Alene, ID
$60,985
$29.32/hr
Moscow, ID
$58,057
$27.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCoeur d'Alene, IDMoscow, ID
Median Salary$60,985$58,057
Hourly Rate$29.32$27.91
Entry Level (P10)$40,133$40,206
25th Percentile$51,544$45,298
75th Percentile$73,367$74,313
Top Earner (P90)$80,257$89,989
Total Employed1206
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Coeur d'Alene ($60,985) and Moscow ($58,057) school counselor salaries.Coeur d'AleneMoscowMedian Salary$60,985$58,057Entry Level (P10)$40,133$40,206Top Earner (P90)$80,257$89,989US Median $64,335

Verdict

Coeur d'Alene, ID offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Moscow.

The salary gap between Coeur d'Alene and Moscow is $2,928 (5.04%). Coeur d'Alene's median is -5.21% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Coeur d'Alene spans $40,124,Moscow spans $49,783. Moscow has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Coeur d'Alene
P10 (Entry)$40,133
P25$51,544
Median$60,985
P75$73,367
P90 (Top)$80,257
Moscow
P10 (Entry)$40,206
P25$45,298
Median$58,057
P75$74,313
P90 (Top)$89,989

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Coeur d'Alene ($62,044 effective) pays 1.84% more than Moscow ($60,920 effective).

Coeur d'Alene
Nominal: $60,985
CoL Index: 98.293
Adjusted: $62,044
Moscow
Nominal: $58,057
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $60,920

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Coeur d'Alene if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,985/year)
  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,044)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Moscow if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($89,989)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Coeur d'Alene grew 55.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.2% growth in Moscow over the same period.

Coeur d'Alene, ID

+55.1%

$38,540 (2019) → $59,760 (2025)

Moscow, ID

+-1.2%

$57,609 (2024) → $56,891 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Coeur d'Alene or Moscow?

Coeur d'Alene has a higher median school counselor salary at $60,985/year, compared to Moscow at $58,057/year — a difference of $2,928 (5.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Coeur d'Alene and Moscow?

Coeur d'Alene school counselors earn $29.32/hr while Moscow hygienists earn $27.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Coeur d'Alene to Moscow as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Coeur d'Alene and Moscow. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Coeur d'Alene = $62,044, Moscow = $60,920), job availability (120 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Coeur d'Alene vs Moscow?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $40,133 in Coeur d'Alene and $40,206 in Moscow. The Moscow 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