School Counselor Pay

Houston vs Kyle: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$75,936
$36.50/hr
Kyle, TX
$65,992
$31.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXKyle, TX
Median Salary$75,936$65,992
Hourly Rate$36.50$31.73
Entry Level (P10)$46,775$48,595
25th Percentile$57,355$53,910
75th Percentile$85,668$84,469
Top Earner (P90)$106,520$102,287
Total Employed6,48013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($75,936) and Kyle ($65,992) school counselor salaries.HoustonKyleMedian Salary$75,936$65,992Entry Level (P10)$46,775$48,595Top Earner (P90)$106,520$102,287US Median $64,335

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Kyle is $9,944 (15.07%). Houston's median is +18.03% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $59,745,Kyle spans $53,692. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$46,775
P25$57,355
Median$75,936
P75$85,668
P90 (Top)$106,520
Kyle
P10 (Entry)$48,595
P25$53,910
Median$65,992
P75$84,469
P90 (Top)$102,287

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($76,992 effective) pays 12.00% more than Kyle ($68,742 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $75,936
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $76,992
Kyle
Nominal: $65,992
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $68,742

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($75,936/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($106,520)
  • Larger job market (6,480 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,992)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Kyle if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Houston grew 11.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.6% growth in Kyle over the same period.

Houston, TX

+11.6%

$66,660 (2019) → $74,411 (2025)

Kyle, TX

+3.6%

$62,448 (2024) → $64,666 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Houston or Kyle?

Houston has a higher median school counselor salary at $75,936/year, compared to Kyle at $65,992/year — a difference of $9,944 (15.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Kyle?

Houston school counselors earn $36.50/hr while Kyle hygienists earn $31.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Kyle as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Kyle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $76,992, Kyle = $68,742), job availability (6,480 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Houston vs Kyle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $46,775 in Houston and $48,595 in Kyle. The Kyle 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