School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Pittsburgh, PA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$44,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$48,889 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$43,787 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $44,000 | $56,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,880 | $43,120▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,320 | $71,680▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $70,400 | $89,600▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 124 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07% | 0%▲ | +3.07% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $48,889▲ | $45,161 | +$3,728 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $39,408 | $51,744▲ | -$12,336 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $43,787▲ | $41,729 | +$2,058 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 95,000 | -60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $12,000 more (median: $44,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 124), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($48,889 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.