School Counselor Pay

Dallas vs Hurst: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$76,386
$36.73/hr
Hurst, TX
$65,069
$31.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXHurst, TX
Median Salary$76,386$65,069
Hourly Rate$36.73$31.28
Entry Level (P10)$46,344$44,709
25th Percentile$56,735$54,473
75th Percentile$88,718$81,569
Top Earner (P90)$105,199$100,710
Total Employed7,9809
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($76,386) and Hurst ($65,069) school counselor salaries.DallasHurstMedian Salary$76,386$65,069Entry Level (P10)$46,344$44,709Top Earner (P90)$105,199$100,710US Median $64,335

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dallas and Hurst is $11,317 (17.39%). 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,Hurst spans $56,001. 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
Hurst
P10 (Entry)$44,709
P25$54,473
Median$65,069
P75$81,569
P90 (Top)$100,710

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($74,096 effective) pays 9.32% more than Hurst ($67,780 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $76,386
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $74,096
Hurst
Nominal: $65,069
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $67,780

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 Hurst 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 3.6% growth in Hurst over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+13.1%

$66,170 (2019) → $74,852 (2025)

Hurst, TX

+3.6%

$61,575 (2024) → $63,762 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Dallas or Hurst?

Dallas has a higher median school counselor salary at $76,386/year, compared to Hurst at $65,069/year — a difference of $11,317 (17.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Hurst?

Dallas school counselors earn $36.73/hr while Hurst hygienists earn $31.28/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Hurst. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $74,096, Hurst = $67,780), job availability (7,980 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $46,344 in Dallas and $44,709 in Hurst. 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