School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Columbus, OH vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Columbus, OH and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$45,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$49,451 vs $37,634
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$43,869 vs $31,540
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $45,000 | $70,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,650 | $53,900▲ | -$19,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,600 | $89,600▲ | -$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $72,000 | $112,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 186 | -95 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 9.3% | -5.3100000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $49,451▲ | $37,634 | +$11,817 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $39,921 | $58,665▲ | -$18,744 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $43,869▲ | $31,540 | +$12,329 |
| Total Employment | 40,000 | 130,000 | -90,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $25,000 more (median: $45,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 186), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($49,451 vs $37,634 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% 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.