School Counselor Pay

Cincinnati vs Grove City: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Grove City, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$61,835
$29.73/hr
Grove City, OH
$60,280
$28.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHGrove City, OH
Median Salary$61,835$60,280
Hourly Rate$29.73$28.98
Entry Level (P10)$46,225$43,105
25th Percentile$50,275$48,037
75th Percentile$79,487$75,474
Top Earner (P90)$96,688$93,148
Total Employed2,4707
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($61,835) and Grove City ($60,280) school counselor salaries.CincinnatiGrove CityMedian Salary$61,835$60,280Entry Level (P10)$46,225$43,105Top Earner (P90)$96,688$93,148US Median $64,335

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Grove City.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Grove City is $1,555 (2.58%). Cincinnati's median is -3.89% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $50,463,Grove City spans $50,043. Cincinnati has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$46,225
P25$50,275
Median$61,835
P75$79,487
P90 (Top)$96,688
Grove City
P10 (Entry)$43,105
P25$48,037
Median$60,280
P75$75,474
P90 (Top)$93,148

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Grove City ($66,461 effective) pays 2.50% more than Cincinnati ($64,837 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $61,835
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $64,837
Grove City
Nominal: $60,280
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $66,461

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,835/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,688)
  • Larger job market (2,470 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Grove City if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,461)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Cincinnati grew 15.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.0% growth in Grove City over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+15.6%

$52,400 (2019) → $60,593 (2025)

Grove City, OH

+3.0%

$57,367 (2024) → $59,069 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Cincinnati or Grove City?

Cincinnati has a higher median school counselor salary at $61,835/year, compared to Grove City at $60,280/year — a difference of $1,555 (2.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Grove City?

Cincinnati school counselors earn $29.73/hr while Grove City hygienists earn $28.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Grove City as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Grove City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $64,837, Grove City = $66,461), job availability (2,470 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Cincinnati vs Grove City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $46,225 in Cincinnati and $43,105 in Grove City. The Cincinnati 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