School Counselor Pay

Knoxville vs Morristown: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Knoxville, TN and Morristown, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Knoxville, TN
$58,645
$28.20/hr
Morristown, TN
$48,765
$23.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNMorristown, TN
Median Salary$58,645$48,765
Hourly Rate$28.20$23.44
Entry Level (P10)$44,644$34,913
25th Percentile$50,634$41,574
75th Percentile$66,386$62,445
Top Earner (P90)$79,378$69,116
Total Employed790120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($58,645) and Morristown ($48,765) school counselor salaries.KnoxvilleMorristownMedian Salary$58,645$48,765Entry Level (P10)$44,644$34,913Top Earner (P90)$79,378$69,116US Median $64,335

Verdict

Knoxville, TN offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Morristown.

The salary gap between Knoxville and Morristown is $9,880 (20.26%). Knoxville's median is -8.84% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Knoxville spans $34,734,Morristown spans $34,203. Knoxville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$44,644
P25$50,634
Median$58,645
P75$66,386
P90 (Top)$79,378
Morristown
P10 (Entry)$34,913
P25$41,574
Median$48,765
P75$62,445
P90 (Top)$69,116

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($63,353 effective) pays 12.20% more than Morristown ($56,464 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $58,645
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $63,353
Morristown
Nominal: $48,765
CoL Index: 86.364
Adjusted: $56,464

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,645/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($79,378)
  • Larger job market (790 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,353)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Morristown if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Knoxville grew 16.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.7% growth in Morristown over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+16.9%

$49,180 (2019) → $57,467 (2025)

Morristown, TN

+9.7%

$43,550 (2019) → $47,785 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Knoxville or Morristown?

Knoxville has a higher median school counselor salary at $58,645/year, compared to Morristown at $48,765/year — a difference of $9,880 (20.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and Morristown?

Knoxville school counselors earn $28.20/hr while Morristown hygienists earn $23.44/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Knoxville to Morristown as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and Morristown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $63,353, Morristown = $56,464), job availability (790 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Knoxville vs Morristown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $44,644 in Knoxville and $34,913 in Morristown. The Knoxville 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