School Counselor Pay

Huntington vs Morgantown: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Huntington, WV and Morgantown, WV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Huntington, WV
$59,385
$28.55/hr
Morgantown, WV
$47,725
$22.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuntington, WVMorgantown, WV
Median Salary$59,385$47,725
Hourly Rate$28.55$22.94
Entry Level (P10)$39,654$45,454
25th Percentile$46,684$47,284
75th Percentile$70,217$61,026
Top Earner (P90)$79,447$72,046
Total Employed290110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huntington ($59,385) and Morgantown ($47,725) school counselor salaries.HuntingtonMorgantownMedian Salary$59,385$47,725Entry Level (P10)$39,654$45,454Top Earner (P90)$79,447$72,046US Median $64,335

Verdict

Huntington, WV offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Morgantown.

The salary gap between Huntington and Morgantown is $11,660 (24.43%). Huntington's median is -7.69% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Huntington spans $39,793,Morgantown spans $26,592. Huntington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Huntington
P10 (Entry)$39,654
P25$46,684
Median$59,385
P75$70,217
P90 (Top)$79,447
Morgantown
P10 (Entry)$45,454
P25$47,284
Median$47,725
P75$61,026
P90 (Top)$72,046

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntington ($67,161 effective) pays 31.33% more than Morgantown ($51,140 effective).

Huntington
Nominal: $59,385
CoL Index: 88.422
Adjusted: $67,161
Morgantown
Nominal: $47,725
CoL Index: 93.323
Adjusted: $51,140

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Huntington if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,385/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($79,447)
  • Larger job market (290 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,161)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Morgantown if…

  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Huntington grew 21.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -4.5% growth in Morgantown over the same period.

Huntington, WV

+21.3%

$47,970 (2019) → $58,192 (2025)

Morgantown, WV

+-4.5%

$48,960 (2019) → $46,766 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Huntington or Morgantown?

Huntington has a higher median school counselor salary at $59,385/year, compared to Morgantown at $47,725/year — a difference of $11,660 (24.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huntington and Morgantown?

Huntington school counselors earn $28.55/hr while Morgantown hygienists earn $22.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Huntington to Morgantown as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huntington and Morgantown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huntington = $67,161, Morgantown = $51,140), job availability (290 vs 110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Huntington vs Morgantown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $39,654 in Huntington and $45,454 in Morgantown. The Morgantown area offers higher starting salaries.
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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