School Counselor Pay

Dallas vs Missouri City: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$76,386
$36.73/hr
Missouri City, TX
$67,048
$32.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXMissouri City, TX
Median Salary$76,386$67,048
Hourly Rate$36.73$32.24
Entry Level (P10)$46,344$45,717
25th Percentile$56,735$52,030
75th Percentile$88,718$84,644
Top Earner (P90)$105,199$103,925
Total Employed7,98012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($76,386) and Missouri City ($67,048) school counselor salaries.DallasMissouri CityMedian Salary$76,386$67,048Entry Level (P10)$46,344$45,717Top Earner (P90)$105,199$103,925US Median $64,335

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dallas and Missouri City is $9,338 (13.93%). 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,Missouri City spans $58,208. 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
Missouri City
P10 (Entry)$45,717
P25$52,030
Median$67,048
P75$84,644
P90 (Top)$103,925

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($74,096 effective) pays 6.09% more than Missouri City ($69,842 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $76,386
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $74,096
Missouri City
Nominal: $67,048
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $69,842

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 Missouri City 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 Missouri City over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+13.1%

$66,170 (2019) → $74,852 (2025)

Missouri City, TX

+3.6%

$63,446 (2024) → $65,701 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Dallas or Missouri City?

Dallas has a higher median school counselor salary at $76,386/year, compared to Missouri City at $67,048/year — a difference of $9,338 (13.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Missouri City?

Dallas school counselors earn $36.73/hr while Missouri City hygienists earn $32.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to Missouri City as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Missouri City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $74,096, Missouri City = $69,842), job availability (7,980 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $46,344 in Dallas and $45,717 in Missouri City. 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