School Counselor Pay

Columbus vs Green: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Columbus, OH
$62,085
$29.85/hr
Green, OH
$57,913
$27.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHGreen, OH
Median Salary$62,085$57,913
Hourly Rate$29.85$27.84
Entry Level (P10)$46,844$42,123
25th Percentile$49,654$46,856
75th Percentile$81,997$74,129
Top Earner (P90)$106,620$89,766
Total Employed2,4404
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($62,085) and Green ($57,913) school counselor salaries.ColumbusGreenMedian Salary$62,085$57,913Entry Level (P10)$46,844$42,123Top Earner (P90)$106,620$89,766US Median $64,335

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Columbus and Green is $4,172 (7.20%). Columbus's median is -3.50% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $59,776,Green spans $47,643. Columbus has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$46,844
P25$49,654
Median$62,085
P75$81,997
P90 (Top)$106,620
Green
P10 (Entry)$42,123
P25$46,856
Median$57,913
P75$74,129
P90 (Top)$89,766

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($65,032 effective) pays 1.85% more than Green ($63,851 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $62,085
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $65,032
Green
Nominal: $57,913
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $63,851

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,085/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($106,620)
  • Larger job market (2,440 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,032)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Green if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Columbus grew 3.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.0% growth in Green over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+3.6%

$58,730 (2019) → $60,838 (2025)

Green, OH

+3.0%

$55,115 (2024) → $56,750 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Columbus or Green?

Columbus has a higher median school counselor salary at $62,085/year, compared to Green at $57,913/year — a difference of $4,172 (7.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Green?

Columbus school counselors earn $29.85/hr while Green hygienists earn $27.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Green as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Green. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $65,032, Green = $63,851), job availability (2,440 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Columbus vs Green?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $46,844 in Columbus and $42,123 in Green. The Columbus 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