School Counselor Pay

Cleveland vs Massillon: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$61,626
$29.64/hr
Massillon, OH
$62,616
$30.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHMassillon, OH
Median Salary$61,626$62,616
Hourly Rate$29.64$30.10
Entry Level (P10)$40,624$46,593
25th Percentile$47,994$51,241
75th Percentile$80,228$80,148
Top Earner (P90)$101,380$97,055
Total Employed2,4107
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($61,626) and Massillon ($62,616) school counselor salaries.ClevelandMassillonMedian Salary$61,626$62,616Entry Level (P10)$40,624$46,593Top Earner (P90)$101,380$97,055US Median $64,335

Verdict

Cleveland and Massillon are closely matched on overall school counselor compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Massillon is $990 (1.61%). Massillon's median is -2.67% 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,Massillon spans $50,462. 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
Massillon
P10 (Entry)$46,593
P25$51,241
Median$62,616
P75$80,148
P90 (Top)$97,055

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Massillon ($69,036 effective) pays 5.22% more than Cleveland ($65,613 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $61,626
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $65,613
Massillon
Nominal: $62,616
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $69,036

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($101,380)
  • Larger job market (2,410 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Massillon if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,616/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,036)
  • 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 10.5% growth in Massillon over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+17.3%

$51,480 (2019) → $60,388 (2025)

Massillon, OH

+10.5%

$55,543 (2024) → $61,358 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Cleveland or Massillon?

Massillon has a higher median school counselor salary at $62,616/year, compared to Cleveland at $61,626/year — a difference of $990 (1.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Massillon?

Cleveland school counselors earn $29.64/hr while Massillon hygienists earn $30.10/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Massillon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $65,613, Massillon = $69,036), job availability (2,410 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $40,624 in Cleveland and $46,593 in Massillon. The Massillon 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