School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Indianapolis, IN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$43,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$47,778 vs $37,634
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$42,756 vs $31,540
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $43,000 | $70,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,110 | $53,900▲ | -$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $55,040 | $89,600▲ | -$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $68,800 | $112,000▲ | -$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 186 | -96 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 9.3% | -6.15% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,778▲ | $37,634 | +$10,144 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $38,480 | $58,665▲ | -$20,185 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,756▲ | $31,540 | +$11,216 |
| Total Employment | 37,500 | 130,000 | -92,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $27,000 more (median: $43,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 186), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($47,778 vs $37,634 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% 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.