School Counselor Pay

Deming vs Farmington: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Deming, NM and Farmington, NM. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Deming, NM
$55,533
$26.70/hr
Farmington, NM
$78,447
$37.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDeming, NMFarmington, NM
Median Salary$55,533$78,447
Hourly Rate$26.70$37.72
Entry Level (P10)$42,981$47,484
25th Percentile$46,588$58,885
75th Percentile$69,982$89,168
Top Earner (P90)$85,638$97,619
Total Employed4100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Deming ($55,533) and Farmington ($78,447) school counselor salaries.DemingFarmingtonMedian Salary$55,533$78,447Entry Level (P10)$42,981$47,484Top Earner (P90)$85,638$97,619US Median $64,335

Verdict

Farmington, NM offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Deming.

The salary gap between Deming and Farmington is $22,914 (41.26%). Farmington's median is +21.94% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Deming spans $42,657,Farmington spans $50,135. Farmington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Deming
P10 (Entry)$42,981
P25$46,588
Median$55,533
P75$69,982
P90 (Top)$85,638
Farmington
P10 (Entry)$47,484
P25$58,885
Median$78,447
P75$89,168
P90 (Top)$97,619

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Farmington ($89,442 effective) pays 52.04% more than Deming ($58,827 effective).

Deming
Nominal: $55,533
CoL Index: 94.4
Adjusted: $58,827
Farmington
Nominal: $78,447
CoL Index: 87.707
Adjusted: $89,442

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Deming if…

  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Choose Farmington if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,447/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($97,619)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $89,442)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Deming grew 3.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.8% growth in Farmington over the same period.

Deming, NM

+3.0%

$52,848 (2024) → $54,417 (2025)

Farmington, NM

+8.8%

$70,680 (2019) → $76,871 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Deming or Farmington?

Farmington has a higher median school counselor salary at $78,447/year, compared to Deming at $55,533/year — a difference of $22,914 (41.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Deming and Farmington?

Deming school counselors earn $26.70/hr while Farmington hygienists earn $37.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Deming to Farmington as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Deming and Farmington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Deming = $58,827, Farmington = $89,442), job availability (4 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Deming vs Farmington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $42,981 in Deming and $47,484 in Farmington. The Farmington area offers higher starting salaries.
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