School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: El Paso, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in El Paso, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$35,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$41,176 vs $37,634
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$38,047 vs $31,540
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $35,000 | $70,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,950 | $53,900▲ | -$26,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,800 | $89,600▲ | -$44,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $56,000 | $112,000▲ | -$56,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 186 | -101 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $41,176▲ | $37,634 | +$3,542 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $32,340 | $58,665▲ | -$26,325 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $38,047▲ | $31,540 | +$6,507 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 130,000 | -115,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $35,000 more (median: $35,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 186), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($41,176 vs $37,634 equivalent). El Paso, 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.