School Counselor Pay

Dallas vs Edinburg: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$76,386
$36.73/hr
Edinburg, TX
$78,464
$37.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXEdinburg, TX
Median Salary$76,386$78,464
Hourly Rate$36.73$37.73
Entry Level (P10)$46,344$54,234
25th Percentile$56,735$61,640
75th Percentile$88,718$100,435
Top Earner (P90)$105,199$121,619
Total Employed7,98022
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($76,386) and Edinburg ($78,464) school counselor salaries.DallasEdinburgMedian Salary$76,386$78,464Entry Level (P10)$46,344$54,234Top Earner (P90)$105,199$121,619US Median $64,335

Verdict

Edinburg, TX offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Dallas.

The salary gap between Dallas and Edinburg is $2,078 (2.72%). Edinburg's median is +21.96% 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,Edinburg spans $67,385. Edinburg has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$46,344
P25$56,735
Median$76,386
P75$88,718
P90 (Top)$105,199
Edinburg
P10 (Entry)$54,234
P25$61,640
Median$78,464
P75$100,435
P90 (Top)$121,619

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Edinburg ($81,733 effective) pays 10.31% more than Dallas ($74,096 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $76,386
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $74,096
Edinburg
Nominal: $78,464
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $81,733

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Larger job market (7,980 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Edinburg if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,464/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($121,619)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,733)
  • 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 23.1% growth in Edinburg over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+13.1%

$66,170 (2019) → $74,852 (2025)

Edinburg, TX

+23.1%

$62,455 (2024) → $76,888 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Dallas or Edinburg?

Edinburg has a higher median school counselor salary at $78,464/year, compared to Dallas at $76,386/year — a difference of $2,078 (2.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Edinburg?

Dallas school counselors earn $36.73/hr while Edinburg hygienists earn $37.73/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Edinburg. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $74,096, Edinburg = $81,733), job availability (7,980 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $46,344 in Dallas and $54,234 in Edinburg. The Edinburg 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