School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Washington, DC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Washington, DC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$61,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$40,132 vs $38,272
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$34,671 vs $33,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $61,000 | $62,000▲ | -$1,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,970 | $47,740▲ | -$770 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,080 | $79,360▲ | -$1,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $97,600 | $99,200▲ | -$1,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 5%▲ | +1.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $40,132▲ | $38,272 | +$1,860 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $52,700 | $54,424▲ | -$1,724 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $34,671▲ | $33,595 | +$1,076 |
| Total Employment | 112,500 | 105,000 | +7,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $1,000 more (median: $61,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($40,132 vs $38,272 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.5%).
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.