School Counselor Pay

Knoxville vs Tullahoma: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Knoxville, TN
$58,645
$28.20/hr
Tullahoma, TN
$54,975
$26.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNTullahoma, TN
Median Salary$58,645$54,975
Hourly Rate$28.20$26.43
Entry Level (P10)$44,644$41,884
25th Percentile$50,634$44,220
75th Percentile$66,386$68,660
Top Earner (P90)$79,378$83,779
Total Employed7904
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($58,645) and Tullahoma ($54,975) school counselor salaries.KnoxvilleTullahomaMedian Salary$58,645$54,975Entry Level (P10)$44,644$41,884Top Earner (P90)$79,378$83,779US Median $64,335

Verdict

Knoxville, TN offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tullahoma.

The salary gap between Knoxville and Tullahoma is $3,670 (6.68%). 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,Tullahoma spans $41,895. Tullahoma has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$44,644
P25$50,634
Median$58,645
P75$66,386
P90 (Top)$79,378
Tullahoma
P10 (Entry)$41,884
P25$44,220
Median$54,975
P75$68,660
P90 (Top)$83,779

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($63,353 effective) pays 5.79% more than Tullahoma ($59,886 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $58,645
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $63,353
Tullahoma
Nominal: $54,975
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $59,886

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)
  • Larger job market (790 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,353)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Tullahoma if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($83,779)
  • 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 9.5% growth in Tullahoma over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+16.9%

$49,180 (2019) → $57,467 (2025)

Tullahoma, TN

+9.5%

$49,195 (2024) → $53,871 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Knoxville or Tullahoma?

Knoxville has a higher median school counselor salary at $58,645/year, compared to Tullahoma at $54,975/year — a difference of $3,670 (6.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and Tullahoma?

Knoxville school counselors earn $28.20/hr while Tullahoma hygienists earn $26.43/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and Tullahoma. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $63,353, Tullahoma = $59,886), job availability (790 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $44,644 in Knoxville and $41,884 in Tullahoma. 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