School Counselor Pay

Duluth vs Eagan: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Duluth, MN and Eagan, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duluth, MN
$59,285
$28.50/hr
Eagan, MN
$63,323
$30.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNEagan, MN
Median Salary$59,285$63,323
Hourly Rate$28.50$30.44
Entry Level (P10)$45,234$46,070
25th Percentile$48,415$51,310
75th Percentile$72,017$81,053
Top Earner (P90)$84,578$98,151
Total Employed26013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($59,285) and Eagan ($63,323) school counselor salaries.DuluthEaganMedian Salary$59,285$63,323Entry Level (P10)$45,234$46,070Top Earner (P90)$84,578$98,151US Median $64,335

Verdict

Eagan, MN offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Duluth.

The salary gap between Duluth and Eagan is $4,038 (6.81%). Eagan's median is -1.57% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $39,344,Eagan spans $52,081. Eagan has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$45,234
P25$48,415
Median$59,285
P75$72,017
P90 (Top)$84,578
Eagan
P10 (Entry)$46,070
P25$51,310
Median$63,323
P75$81,053
P90 (Top)$98,151

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($66,786 effective) pays 3.89% more than Eagan ($64,287 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $59,285
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $66,786
Eagan
Nominal: $63,323
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $64,287

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,786)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Eagan if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,323/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,151)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Duluth grew 3.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -8.2% growth in Eagan over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+3.9%

$55,890 (2019) → $58,094 (2025)

Eagan, MN

+-8.2%

$67,581 (2024) → $62,051 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Duluth or Eagan?

Eagan has a higher median school counselor salary at $63,323/year, compared to Duluth at $59,285/year — a difference of $4,038 (6.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Eagan?

Duluth school counselors earn $28.50/hr while Eagan hygienists earn $30.44/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to Eagan as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Eagan. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $66,786, Eagan = $64,287), job availability (260 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Duluth vs Eagan?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $45,234 in Duluth and $46,070 in Eagan. The Eagan 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