School Counselor Pay

Idaho Falls vs Post Falls: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Idaho Falls, ID and Post Falls, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Idaho Falls, ID
$58,955
$28.34/hr
Post Falls, ID
$57,235
$27.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIdaho Falls, IDPost Falls, ID
Median Salary$58,955$57,235
Hourly Rate$28.34$27.51
Entry Level (P10)$46,514$43,012
25th Percentile$50,175$47,150
75th Percentile$72,836$71,006
Top Earner (P90)$78,967$88,714
Total Employed1309
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Idaho Falls ($58,955) and Post Falls ($57,235) school counselor salaries.Idaho FallsPost FallsMedian Salary$58,955$57,235Entry Level (P10)$46,514$43,012Top Earner (P90)$78,967$88,714US Median $64,335

Verdict

Idaho Falls, ID offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Post Falls.

The salary gap between Idaho Falls and Post Falls is $1,720 (3.01%). Idaho Falls's median is -8.36% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Idaho Falls spans $32,453,Post Falls spans $45,702. Post Falls has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Idaho Falls
P10 (Entry)$46,514
P25$50,175
Median$58,955
P75$72,836
P90 (Top)$78,967
Post Falls
P10 (Entry)$43,012
P25$47,150
Median$57,235
P75$71,006
P90 (Top)$88,714

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Idaho Falls ($62,444 effective) pays 3.97% more than Post Falls ($60,058 effective).

Idaho Falls
Nominal: $58,955
CoL Index: 94.412
Adjusted: $62,444
Post Falls
Nominal: $57,235
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $60,058

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Idaho Falls if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,955/year)
  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,444)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Post Falls if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($88,714)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Idaho Falls grew 37.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.2% growth in Post Falls over the same period.

Idaho Falls, ID

+37.2%

$42,100 (2019) → $57,771 (2025)

Post Falls, ID

+-1.2%

$56,793 (2024) → $56,085 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Idaho Falls or Post Falls?

Idaho Falls has a higher median school counselor salary at $58,955/year, compared to Post Falls at $57,235/year — a difference of $1,720 (3.01%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Idaho Falls and Post Falls?

Idaho Falls school counselors earn $28.34/hr while Post Falls hygienists earn $27.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Idaho Falls to Post Falls as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Idaho Falls and Post Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Idaho Falls = $62,444, Post Falls = $60,058), job availability (130 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Idaho Falls vs Post Falls?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $46,514 in Idaho Falls and $43,012 in Post Falls. The Idaho 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