School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Oklahoma City, OK vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Oklahoma City, OK and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$39,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Oklahoma City, OK
$45,349 vs $37,634
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Oklahoma City, OK
$39,912 vs $31,540
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $39,000 | $70,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,030 | $53,900▲ | -$23,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $49,920 | $89,600▲ | -$39,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $62,400 | $112,000▲ | -$49,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 86 | 186 | -100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.75%▲ | 9.3% | -4.550000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,349▲ | $37,634 | +$7,715 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $34,324 | $58,665▲ | -$24,341 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,912▲ | $31,540 | +$8,372 |
| Total Employment | 22,500 | 130,000 | -107,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Oklahoma City, OK minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $31,000 more (median: $39,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 86 vs 186), Oklahoma City, OK provides better purchasing power ($45,349 vs $37,634 equivalent). Oklahoma City, OK has the lower state tax rate (4.75% 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.