School Counselor Pay

Dallas vs Corpus Christi: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$76,386
$36.73/hr
Corpus Christi, TX
$63,226
$30.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXCorpus Christi, TX
Median Salary$76,386$63,226
Hourly Rate$36.73$30.39
Entry Level (P10)$46,344$37,874
25th Percentile$56,735$45,234
75th Percentile$88,718$72,357
Top Earner (P90)$105,199$96,109
Total Employed7,980430
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($76,386) and Corpus Christi ($63,226) school counselor salaries.DallasCorpus ChristiMedian Salary$76,386$63,226Entry Level (P10)$46,344$37,874Top Earner (P90)$105,199$96,109US Median $64,335

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dallas and Corpus Christi is $13,160 (20.81%). 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 Dallas spans $58,855,Corpus Christi spans $58,235. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$46,344
P25$56,735
Median$76,386
P75$88,718
P90 (Top)$105,199
Corpus Christi
P10 (Entry)$37,874
P25$45,234
Median$63,226
P75$72,357
P90 (Top)$96,109

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($74,096 effective) pays 8.60% more than Corpus Christi ($68,226 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $76,386
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $74,096
Corpus Christi
Nominal: $63,226
CoL Index: 92.671
Adjusted: $68,226

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Corpus Christi if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Dallas grew 13.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.6% growth in Corpus Christi over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+13.1%

$66,170 (2019) → $74,852 (2025)

Corpus Christi, TX

+4.6%

$59,210 (2019) → $61,956 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Dallas or Corpus Christi?

Dallas has a higher median school counselor salary at $76,386/year, compared to Corpus Christi at $63,226/year — a difference of $13,160 (20.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Corpus Christi?

Dallas school counselors earn $36.73/hr while Corpus Christi hygienists earn $30.39/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to Corpus Christi as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Corpus Christi. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $74,096, Corpus Christi = $68,226), job availability (7,980 vs 430 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $46,344 in Dallas and $37,874 in Corpus Christi. 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