School Counselor Pay

Dallas vs Round Rock: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$76,386
$36.73/hr
Round Rock, TX
$62,007
$29.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXRound Rock, TX
Median Salary$76,386$62,007
Hourly Rate$36.73$29.81
Entry Level (P10)$46,344$40,953
25th Percentile$56,735$47,314
75th Percentile$88,718$79,368
Top Earner (P90)$105,199$96,111
Total Employed7,98026
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($76,386) and Round Rock ($62,007) school counselor salaries.DallasRound RockMedian Salary$76,386$62,007Entry Level (P10)$46,344$40,953Top Earner (P90)$105,199$96,111US Median $64,335

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dallas and Round Rock is $14,379 (23.19%). 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,Round Rock spans $55,158. 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
Round Rock
P10 (Entry)$40,953
P25$47,314
Median$62,007
P75$79,368
P90 (Top)$96,111

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($74,096 effective) pays 14.72% more than Round Rock ($64,591 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $76,386
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $74,096
Round Rock
Nominal: $62,007
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $64,591

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 Round Rock 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 -5.7% growth in Round Rock over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+13.1%

$66,170 (2019) → $74,852 (2025)

Round Rock, TX

+-5.7%

$64,442 (2024) → $60,761 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Dallas or Round Rock?

Dallas has a higher median school counselor salary at $76,386/year, compared to Round Rock at $62,007/year — a difference of $14,379 (23.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Round Rock?

Dallas school counselors earn $36.73/hr while Round Rock hygienists earn $29.81/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to Round Rock as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Round Rock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $74,096, Round Rock = $64,591), job availability (7,980 vs 26 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $46,344 in Dallas and $40,953 in Round Rock. 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