School Counselor Pay

Huron vs Sioux Falls: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Huron, SD and Sioux Falls, SD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Huron, SD
$53,958
$25.94/hr
Sioux Falls, SD
$51,065
$24.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuron, SDSioux Falls, SD
Median Salary$53,958$51,065
Hourly Rate$25.94$24.55
Entry Level (P10)$40,940$41,533
25th Percentile$44,497$48,284
75th Percentile$68,419$59,276
Top Earner (P90)$82,042$61,866
Total Employed5260
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huron ($53,958) and Sioux Falls ($51,065) school counselor salaries.HuronSioux FallsMedian Salary$53,958$51,065Entry Level (P10)$40,940$41,533Top Earner (P90)$82,042$61,866US Median $64,335

Verdict

Huron, SD offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Sioux Falls.

The salary gap between Huron and Sioux Falls is $2,893 (5.67%). Huron's median is -16.13% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Huron spans $41,102,Sioux Falls spans $20,333. Huron has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Huron
P10 (Entry)$40,940
P25$44,497
Median$53,958
P75$68,419
P90 (Top)$82,042
Sioux Falls
P10 (Entry)$41,533
P25$48,284
Median$51,065
P75$59,276
P90 (Top)$61,866

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huron ($58,144 effective) pays 3.20% more than Sioux Falls ($56,344 effective).

Huron
Nominal: $53,958
CoL Index: 92.8
Adjusted: $58,144
Sioux Falls
Nominal: $51,065
CoL Index: 90.631
Adjusted: $56,344

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Huron if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,958/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,042)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,144)
  • You prefer the South Dakota area and lifestyle

Choose Sioux Falls if…

  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • You prefer the South Dakota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Huron grew 6.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 6.4% growth in Sioux Falls over the same period.

Huron, SD

+6.5%

$49,637 (2024) → $52,874 (2025)

Sioux Falls, SD

+6.4%

$47,030 (2019) → $50,039 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Huron or Sioux Falls?

Huron has a higher median school counselor salary at $53,958/year, compared to Sioux Falls at $51,065/year — a difference of $2,893 (5.67%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huron and Sioux Falls?

Huron school counselors earn $25.94/hr while Sioux Falls hygienists earn $24.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Huron to Sioux Falls as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huron and Sioux Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huron = $58,144, Sioux Falls = $56,344), job availability (5 vs 260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Huron vs Sioux Falls?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $40,940 in Huron and $41,533 in Sioux Falls. The Sioux Falls 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