School Counselor Pay

Bartlett vs Knoxville: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Bartlett, TN and Knoxville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bartlett, TN
$59,841
$28.77/hr
Knoxville, TN
$58,645
$28.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBartlett, TNKnoxville, TN
Median Salary$59,841$58,645
Hourly Rate$28.77$28.20
Entry Level (P10)$41,224$44,644
25th Percentile$46,754$50,634
75th Percentile$76,597$66,386
Top Earner (P90)$92,753$79,378
Total Employed13790
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bartlett ($59,841) and Knoxville ($58,645) school counselor salaries.BartlettKnoxvilleMedian Salary$59,841$58,645Entry Level (P10)$41,224$44,644Top Earner (P90)$92,753$79,378US Median $64,335

Verdict

Bartlett, TN offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Knoxville.

The salary gap between Bartlett and Knoxville is $1,196 (2.04%). Bartlett's median is -6.99% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bartlett spans $51,529,Knoxville spans $34,734. Bartlett has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bartlett
P10 (Entry)$41,224
P25$46,754
Median$59,841
P75$76,597
P90 (Top)$92,753
Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$44,644
P25$50,634
Median$58,645
P75$66,386
P90 (Top)$79,378

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bartlett ($65,186 effective) pays 2.89% more than Knoxville ($63,353 effective).

Bartlett
Nominal: $59,841
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $65,186
Knoxville
Nominal: $58,645
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $63,353

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bartlett if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,841/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,753)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,186)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Larger job market (790 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Bartlett grew 9.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 16.9% growth in Knoxville over the same period.

Bartlett, TN

+9.5%

$53,549 (2024) → $58,639 (2025)

Knoxville, TN

+16.9%

$49,180 (2019) → $57,467 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Bartlett or Knoxville?

Bartlett has a higher median school counselor salary at $59,841/year, compared to Knoxville at $58,645/year — a difference of $1,196 (2.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bartlett and Knoxville?

Bartlett school counselors earn $28.77/hr while Knoxville hygienists earn $28.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bartlett to Knoxville as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bartlett and Knoxville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bartlett = $65,186, Knoxville = $63,353), job availability (13 vs 790 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Bartlett vs Knoxville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $41,224 in Bartlett and $44,644 in Knoxville. The Knoxville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed.

Content Lead

Maria has over 10 years of experience in school counseling. She specializes in academic and emotional support for high school students. She works at a public high school in California.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, M.A.Data verified by Linda Chen, LPC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.05% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov