School Counselor Pay

Allentown vs Williamsport: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Allentown, PA and Williamsport, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Allentown, PA
$63,596
$30.57/hr
Williamsport, PA
$58,435
$28.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAllentown, PAWilliamsport, PA
Median Salary$63,596$58,435
Hourly Rate$30.57$28.09
Entry Level (P10)$47,654$46,494
25th Percentile$54,865$58,226
75th Percentile$81,947$77,997
Top Earner (P90)$97,419$83,007
Total Employed960100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Allentown ($63,596) and Williamsport ($58,435) school counselor salaries.AllentownWilliamsportMedian Salary$63,596$58,435Entry Level (P10)$47,654$46,494Top Earner (P90)$97,419$83,007US Median $64,335

Verdict

Allentown, PA offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Williamsport.

The salary gap between Allentown and Williamsport is $5,161 (8.83%). Allentown's median is -1.15% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Allentown spans $49,765,Williamsport spans $36,513. Allentown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Allentown
P10 (Entry)$47,654
P25$54,865
Median$63,596
P75$81,947
P90 (Top)$97,419
Williamsport
P10 (Entry)$46,494
P25$58,226
Median$58,435
P75$77,997
P90 (Top)$83,007

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Allentown ($63,616 effective) pays 0.54% more than Williamsport ($63,276 effective).

Allentown
Nominal: $63,596
CoL Index: 99.968
Adjusted: $63,616
Williamsport
Nominal: $58,435
CoL Index: 92.35
Adjusted: $63,276

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Allentown if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,596/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($97,419)
  • Larger job market (960 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,616)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Williamsport if…

  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Allentown grew -2.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 16.5% growth in Williamsport over the same period.

Allentown, PA

+-2.6%

$63,990 (2019) → $62,318 (2025)

Williamsport, PA

+16.5%

$49,170 (2019) → $57,261 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Allentown or Williamsport?

Allentown has a higher median school counselor salary at $63,596/year, compared to Williamsport at $58,435/year — a difference of $5,161 (8.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Allentown and Williamsport?

Allentown school counselors earn $30.57/hr while Williamsport hygienists earn $28.09/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Allentown to Williamsport as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Allentown and Williamsport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Allentown = $63,616, Williamsport = $63,276), job availability (960 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Allentown vs Williamsport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $47,654 in Allentown and $46,494 in Williamsport. The Allentown 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