School Counselor Pay

Hattiesburg vs Vicksburg: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Hattiesburg, MS and Vicksburg, MS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hattiesburg, MS
$53,434
$25.70/hr
Vicksburg, MS
$51,877
$24.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHattiesburg, MSVicksburg, MS
Median Salary$53,434$51,877
Hourly Rate$25.70$24.94
Entry Level (P10)$38,074$38,507
25th Percentile$38,583$42,160
75th Percentile$67,516$65,197
Top Earner (P90)$75,927$77,934
Total Employed1506
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hattiesburg ($53,434) and Vicksburg ($51,877) school counselor salaries.HattiesburgVicksburgMedian Salary$53,434$51,877Entry Level (P10)$38,074$38,507Top Earner (P90)$75,927$77,934US Median $64,335

Verdict

Hattiesburg, MS offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Vicksburg.

The salary gap between Hattiesburg and Vicksburg is $1,557 (3.00%). Hattiesburg's median is -16.94% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hattiesburg spans $37,853,Vicksburg spans $39,427. Vicksburg has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Hattiesburg
P10 (Entry)$38,074
P25$38,583
Median$53,434
P75$67,516
P90 (Top)$75,927
Vicksburg
P10 (Entry)$38,507
P25$42,160
Median$51,877
P75$65,197
P90 (Top)$77,934

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hattiesburg ($60,975 effective) pays 0.73% more than Vicksburg ($60,533 effective).

Hattiesburg
Nominal: $53,434
CoL Index: 87.633
Adjusted: $60,975
Vicksburg
Nominal: $51,877
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $60,533

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hattiesburg if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,434/year)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,975)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Vicksburg if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($77,934)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Hattiesburg grew 7.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.8% growth in Vicksburg over the same period.

Hattiesburg, MS

+7.6%

$48,660 (2019) → $52,361 (2025)

Vicksburg, MS

+18.8%

$42,787 (2024) → $50,835 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Hattiesburg or Vicksburg?

Hattiesburg has a higher median school counselor salary at $53,434/year, compared to Vicksburg at $51,877/year — a difference of $1,557 (3.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hattiesburg and Vicksburg?

Hattiesburg school counselors earn $25.70/hr while Vicksburg hygienists earn $24.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hattiesburg to Vicksburg as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hattiesburg and Vicksburg. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hattiesburg = $60,975, Vicksburg = $60,533), job availability (150 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Hattiesburg vs Vicksburg?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $38,074 in Hattiesburg and $38,507 in Vicksburg. The Vicksburg 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