School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Chicago, IL vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$51,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$47,664 vs $37,634
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$41,861 vs $31,540
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $51,000 | $70,000▲ | -$19,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,270 | $53,900▲ | -$14,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,280 | $89,600▲ | -$24,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $81,600 | $112,000▲ | -$30,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 9.3% | -4.3500000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,664▲ | $37,634 | +$10,030 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,791 | $58,665▲ | -$13,874 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $41,861▲ | $31,540 | +$10,321 |
| Total Employment | 87,500 | 130,000 | -42,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $19,000 more (median: $51,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($47,664 vs $37,634 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 9.3%).
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.