School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Charlotte, NC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Charlotte, NC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$46,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$45,098 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$39,795 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $46,000 | $56,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,420 | $43,120▲ | -$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $58,880 | $71,680▲ | -$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $73,600 | $89,600▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 124 | -22 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,098 | $45,161▲ | -$63 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $40,591 | $51,744▲ | -$11,153 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,795 | $41,729▲ | -$1,934 |
| Total Employment | 50,000 | 95,000 | -45,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Charlotte, NC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $10,000 more (median: $46,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 102 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($45,098 vs $45,161 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.