School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Minneapolis, MN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Minneapolis, MN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$50,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Minneapolis, MN
$45,045 vs $37,634
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Minneapolis, MN
$38,791 vs $31,540
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $50,000 | $70,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,500 | $53,900▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $64,000 | $89,600▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $80,000 | $112,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 111 | 186 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 6.8%▲ | 9.3% | -2.500000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,045▲ | $37,634 | +$7,411 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $43,058 | $58,665▲ | -$15,607 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $38,791▲ | $31,540 | +$7,251 |
| Total Employment | 55,000 | 130,000 | -75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Minneapolis, MN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $20,000 more (median: $50,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 111 vs 186), Minneapolis, MN provides better purchasing power ($45,045 vs $37,634 equivalent). Minneapolis, MN has the lower state tax rate (6.8% 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.