School Counselor Pay

Cleveland vs Solon: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$61,626
$29.64/hr
Solon, OH
$56,058
$26.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHSolon, OH
Median Salary$61,626$56,058
Hourly Rate$29.64$26.95
Entry Level (P10)$40,624$42,213
25th Percentile$47,994$45,996
75th Percentile$80,228$70,946
Top Earner (P90)$101,380$86,668
Total Employed2,4106
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($61,626) and Solon ($56,058) school counselor salaries.ClevelandSolonMedian Salary$61,626$56,058Entry Level (P10)$40,624$42,213Top Earner (P90)$101,380$86,668US Median $64,335

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Solon is $5,568 (9.93%). 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,Solon spans $44,455. 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
Solon
P10 (Entry)$42,213
P25$45,996
Median$56,058
P75$70,946
P90 (Top)$86,668

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($65,613 effective) pays 6.16% more than Solon ($61,806 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $61,626
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $65,613
Solon
Nominal: $56,058
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $61,806

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 Solon 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 Solon over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+17.3%

$51,480 (2019) → $60,388 (2025)

Solon, OH

+3.0%

$53,349 (2024) → $54,932 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Cleveland or Solon?

Cleveland has a higher median school counselor salary at $61,626/year, compared to Solon at $56,058/year — a difference of $5,568 (9.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Solon?

Cleveland school counselors earn $29.64/hr while Solon hygienists earn $26.95/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Solon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $65,613, Solon = $61,806), job availability (2,410 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $40,624 in Cleveland and $42,213 in Solon. The Solon 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