School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Salt Lake City, UT and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$48,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$42,857 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$37,759 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $48,000 | $56,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,960 | $43,120▲ | -$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $61,440 | $71,680▲ | -$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $76,800 | $89,600▲ | -$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 124 | -12 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65% | 0%▲ | +4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,857 | $45,161▲ | -$2,304 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $42,290 | $51,744▲ | -$9,454 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $37,759 | $41,729▲ | -$3,970 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 95,000 | -50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $8,000 more (median: $48,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($42,857 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.