School Counselor Pay

Cleveland vs Cuyahoga Falls: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Cleveland, OH and Cuyahoga Falls, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cleveland, OH
$61,626
$29.64/hr
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
$61,233
$29.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHCuyahoga Falls, OH
Median Salary$61,626$61,233
Hourly Rate$29.64$29.44
Entry Level (P10)$40,624$41,752
25th Percentile$47,994$47,706
75th Percentile$80,228$77,492
Top Earner (P90)$101,380$94,912
Total Employed2,41011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($61,626) and Cuyahoga Falls ($61,233) school counselor salaries.ClevelandCuyahoga FallsMedian Salary$61,626$61,233Entry Level (P10)$40,624$41,752Top Earner (P90)$101,380$94,912US Median $64,335

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Cuyahoga Falls.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Cuyahoga Falls is $393 (0.64%). Cleveland's median is -4.21% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $60,756,Cuyahoga Falls spans $53,160. Cleveland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$40,624
P25$47,994
Median$61,626
P75$80,228
P90 (Top)$101,380
Cuyahoga Falls
P10 (Entry)$41,752
P25$47,706
Median$61,233
P75$77,492
P90 (Top)$94,912

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cuyahoga Falls ($67,512 effective) pays 2.89% more than Cleveland ($65,613 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $61,626
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $65,613
Cuyahoga Falls
Nominal: $61,233
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $67,512

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,626/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($101,380)
  • Larger job market (2,410 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cuyahoga Falls if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,512)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Cleveland grew 17.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.0% growth in Cuyahoga Falls over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+17.3%

$51,480 (2019) → $60,388 (2025)

Cuyahoga Falls, OH

+3.0%

$58,274 (2024) → $60,003 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Cleveland or Cuyahoga Falls?

Cleveland has a higher median school counselor salary at $61,626/year, compared to Cuyahoga Falls at $61,233/year — a difference of $393 (0.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Cuyahoga Falls?

Cleveland school counselors earn $29.64/hr while Cuyahoga Falls hygienists earn $29.44/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Cuyahoga Falls as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Cuyahoga Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $65,613, Cuyahoga Falls = $67,512), job availability (2,410 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Cleveland vs Cuyahoga Falls?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $40,624 in Cleveland and $41,752 in Cuyahoga Falls. The Cuyahoga Falls 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