School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Washington, DC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Washington, DC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Washington, DC
$61,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$40,132 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$34,671 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $61,000▲ | $56,000 | +$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,970▲ | $43,120 | +$3,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,080▲ | $71,680 | +$6,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $97,600▲ | $89,600 | +$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $40,132 | $45,161▲ | -$5,029 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $52,700▲ | $51,744 | +$956 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $34,671 | $41,729▲ | -$7,058 |
| Total Employment | 112,500 | 95,000 | +17,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Washington, DC pays $5,000 more (median: $61,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($40,132 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.