School Counselor Pay

Bowling Green vs Jeffersontown: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Bowling Green, KY and Jeffersontown, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bowling Green, KY
$65,316
$31.40/hr
Jeffersontown, KY
$61,968
$29.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBowling Green, KYJeffersontown, KY
Median Salary$65,316$61,968
Hourly Rate$31.40$29.79
Entry Level (P10)$41,744$45,253
25th Percentile$42,074$50,125
75th Percentile$76,127$79,318
Top Earner (P90)$80,907$96,050
Total Employed2205
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bowling Green ($65,316) and Jeffersontown ($61,968) school counselor salaries.Bowling GreenJeffersontownMedian Salary$65,316$61,968Entry Level (P10)$41,744$45,253Top Earner (P90)$80,907$96,050US Median $64,335

Verdict

Bowling Green, KY offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Jeffersontown.

The salary gap between Bowling Green and Jeffersontown is $3,348 (5.40%). Bowling Green's median is +1.52% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bowling Green spans $39,163,Jeffersontown spans $50,797. Jeffersontown has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Bowling Green
P10 (Entry)$41,744
P25$42,074
Median$65,316
P75$76,127
P90 (Top)$80,907
Jeffersontown
P10 (Entry)$45,253
P25$50,125
Median$61,968
P75$79,318
P90 (Top)$96,050

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bowling Green ($72,429 effective) pays 4.38% more than Jeffersontown ($69,393 effective).

Bowling Green
Nominal: $65,316
CoL Index: 90.179
Adjusted: $72,429
Jeffersontown
Nominal: $61,968
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $69,393

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bowling Green if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,316/year)
  • Larger job market (220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,429)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Jeffersontown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($96,050)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Bowling Green grew 2.2% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 23.5% growth in Jeffersontown over the same period.

Bowling Green, KY

+2.2%

$62,640 (2020) → $64,004 (2025)

Jeffersontown, KY

+23.5%

$49,169 (2024) → $60,723 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Bowling Green or Jeffersontown?

Bowling Green has a higher median school counselor salary at $65,316/year, compared to Jeffersontown at $61,968/year — a difference of $3,348 (5.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bowling Green and Jeffersontown?

Bowling Green school counselors earn $31.40/hr while Jeffersontown hygienists earn $29.79/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bowling Green to Jeffersontown as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bowling Green and Jeffersontown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bowling Green = $72,429, Jeffersontown = $69,393), job availability (220 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Bowling Green vs Jeffersontown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $41,744 in Bowling Green and $45,253 in Jeffersontown. The Jeffersontown area offers higher starting salaries.
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