School Counselor Pay

Dallas vs Pharr: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$76,386
$36.73/hr
Pharr, TX
$66,501
$31.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXPharr, TX
Median Salary$76,386$66,501
Hourly Rate$36.73$31.97
Entry Level (P10)$46,344$44,467
25th Percentile$56,735$54,939
75th Percentile$88,718$85,121
Top Earner (P90)$105,199$103,077
Total Employed7,98018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($76,386) and Pharr ($66,501) school counselor salaries.DallasPharrMedian Salary$76,386$66,501Entry Level (P10)$46,344$44,467Top Earner (P90)$105,199$103,077US Median $64,335

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dallas and Pharr is $9,885 (14.86%). 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,Pharr spans $58,610. 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
Pharr
P10 (Entry)$44,467
P25$54,939
Median$66,501
P75$85,121
P90 (Top)$103,077

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($74,096 effective) pays 6.96% more than Pharr ($69,272 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $76,386
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $74,096
Pharr
Nominal: $66,501
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $69,272

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 Pharr 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 Pharr over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+13.1%

$66,170 (2019) → $74,852 (2025)

Pharr, TX

+3.6%

$62,930 (2024) → $65,165 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Dallas or Pharr?

Dallas has a higher median school counselor salary at $76,386/year, compared to Pharr at $66,501/year — a difference of $9,885 (14.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Pharr?

Dallas school counselors earn $36.73/hr while Pharr hygienists earn $31.97/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Pharr. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $74,096, Pharr = $69,272), job availability (7,980 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $46,344 in Dallas and $44,467 in Pharr. 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