School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Oklahoma City, OK vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Oklahoma City, OK and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$39,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Oklahoma City, OK
$45,349 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$39,912 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $39,000 | $56,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,030 | $43,120▲ | -$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $49,920 | $71,680▲ | -$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $62,400 | $89,600▲ | -$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 86 | 124 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 4.75% | 0%▲ | +4.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,349▲ | $45,161 | +$188 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $34,324 | $51,744▲ | -$17,420 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,912 | $41,729▲ | -$1,817 |
| Total Employment | 22,500 | 95,000 | -72,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Oklahoma City, OK minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $17,000 more (median: $39,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 86 vs 124), Oklahoma City, OK provides better purchasing power ($45,349 vs $45,161 equivalent). Austin, 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.