School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Salt Lake City, UT and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$48,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$42,857 vs $38,272
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$37,759 vs $33,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $48,000 | $62,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,960 | $47,740▲ | -$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $61,440 | $79,360▲ | -$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $76,800 | $99,200▲ | -$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 5% | -0.34999999999999964% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,857▲ | $38,272 | +$4,585 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $42,290 | $54,424▲ | -$12,134 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $37,759▲ | $33,595 | +$4,164 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 105,000 | -60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $14,000 more (median: $48,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($42,857 vs $38,272 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% vs 5%).
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.