School Counselor Pay

Eugene vs Sherwood: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Eugene, OR and Sherwood, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Eugene, OR
$58,385
$28.07/hr
Sherwood, OR
$69,794
$33.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEugene, ORSherwood, OR
Median Salary$58,385$69,794
Hourly Rate$28.07$33.55
Entry Level (P10)$50,305$50,219
25th Percentile$50,544$55,566
75th Percentile$82,078$86,628
Top Earner (P90)$110,480$108,181
Total Employed3304
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Eugene ($58,385) and Sherwood ($69,794) school counselor salaries.EugeneSherwoodMedian Salary$58,385$69,794Entry Level (P10)$50,305$50,219Top Earner (P90)$110,480$108,181US Median $64,335

Verdict

Eugene and Sherwood are closely matched on overall school counselor compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Eugene and Sherwood is $11,409 (19.54%). Sherwood's median is +8.49% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Eugene spans $60,175,Sherwood spans $57,962. Eugene has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Eugene
P10 (Entry)$50,305
P25$50,544
Median$58,385
P75$82,078
P90 (Top)$110,480
Sherwood
P10 (Entry)$50,219
P25$55,566
Median$69,794
P75$86,628
P90 (Top)$108,181

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sherwood ($68,025 effective) pays 18.34% more than Eugene ($57,484 effective).

Eugene
Nominal: $58,385
CoL Index: 101.568
Adjusted: $57,484
Sherwood
Nominal: $69,794
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $68,025

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Eugene if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($110,480)
  • Larger job market (330 employed)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Sherwood if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,794/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,025)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Eugene grew 19.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -4.9% growth in Sherwood over the same period.

Eugene, OR

+19.0%

$48,080 (2019) → $57,212 (2025)

Sherwood, OR

+-4.9%

$71,942 (2024) → $68,392 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Eugene or Sherwood?

Sherwood has a higher median school counselor salary at $69,794/year, compared to Eugene at $58,385/year — a difference of $11,409 (19.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Eugene and Sherwood?

Eugene school counselors earn $28.07/hr while Sherwood hygienists earn $33.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Eugene to Sherwood as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Eugene and Sherwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Eugene = $57,484, Sherwood = $68,025), job availability (330 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Eugene vs Sherwood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $50,305 in Eugene and $50,219 in Sherwood. The Eugene area offers higher starting salaries.
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