School Counselor Pay

Cleveland vs Dublin: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$61,626
$29.64/hr
Dublin, OH
$58,586
$28.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHDublin, OH
Median Salary$61,626$58,586
Hourly Rate$29.64$28.17
Entry Level (P10)$40,624$43,958
25th Percentile$47,994$48,211
75th Percentile$80,228$72,633
Top Earner (P90)$101,380$90,808
Total Employed2,4109
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($61,626) and Dublin ($58,586) school counselor salaries.ClevelandDublinMedian Salary$61,626$58,586Entry Level (P10)$40,624$43,958Top Earner (P90)$101,380$90,808US Median $64,335

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Dublin is $3,040 (5.19%). 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,Dublin spans $46,850. 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
Dublin
P10 (Entry)$43,958
P25$48,211
Median$58,586
P75$72,633
P90 (Top)$90,808

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($65,613 effective) pays 1.58% more than Dublin ($64,593 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $61,626
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $65,613
Dublin
Nominal: $58,586
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $64,593

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,613)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Dublin if…

  • 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 Dublin over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+17.3%

$51,480 (2019) → $60,388 (2025)

Dublin, OH

+3.0%

$55,755 (2024) → $57,409 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Cleveland or Dublin?

Cleveland has a higher median school counselor salary at $61,626/year, compared to Dublin at $58,586/year — a difference of $3,040 (5.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Dublin?

Cleveland school counselors earn $29.64/hr while Dublin hygienists earn $28.17/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Dublin as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Dublin. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $65,613, Dublin = $64,593), job availability (2,410 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $40,624 in Cleveland and $43,958 in Dublin. The Dublin 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