School Counselor Pay

Bartlett vs Memphis: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Bartlett, TN
$59,841
$28.77/hr
Memphis, TN
$65,296
$31.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBartlett, TNMemphis, TN
Median Salary$59,841$65,296
Hourly Rate$28.77$31.39
Entry Level (P10)$41,224$45,625
25th Percentile$46,754$51,584
75th Percentile$76,597$77,427
Top Earner (P90)$92,753$84,558
Total Employed131,270
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bartlett ($59,841) and Memphis ($65,296) school counselor salaries.BartlettMemphisMedian Salary$59,841$65,296Entry Level (P10)$41,224$45,625Top Earner (P90)$92,753$84,558US Median $64,335

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Bartlett and Memphis is $5,455 (9.12%). Memphis's median is +1.49% 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,Memphis spans $38,933. 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
Memphis
P10 (Entry)$45,625
P25$51,584
Median$65,296
P75$77,427
P90 (Top)$84,558

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Memphis ($70,836 effective) pays 8.67% more than Bartlett ($65,186 effective).

Bartlett
Nominal: $59,841
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $65,186
Memphis
Nominal: $65,296
CoL Index: 92.179
Adjusted: $70,836

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bartlett if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($92,753)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Memphis if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,296/year)
  • Larger job market (1,270 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,836)
  • 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 10.7% growth in Memphis over the same period.

Bartlett, TN

+9.5%

$53,549 (2024) → $58,639 (2025)

Memphis, TN

+10.7%

$57,810 (2019) → $63,984 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Bartlett or Memphis?

Memphis has a higher median school counselor salary at $65,296/year, compared to Bartlett at $59,841/year — a difference of $5,455 (9.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bartlett and Memphis?

Bartlett school counselors earn $28.77/hr while Memphis hygienists earn $31.39/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bartlett and Memphis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bartlett = $65,186, Memphis = $70,836), job availability (13 vs 1,270 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $41,224 in Bartlett and $45,625 in Memphis. The Memphis 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