School Counselor Pay

Kennewick vs Marysville: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Kennewick, WA and Marysville, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kennewick, WA
$88,908
$42.75/hr
Marysville, WA
$83,770
$40.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKennewick, WAMarysville, WA
Median Salary$88,908$83,770
Hourly Rate$42.75$40.27
Entry Level (P10)$61,116$58,009
25th Percentile$72,317$65,739
75th Percentile$115,721$106,519
Top Earner (P90)$122,091$129,843
Total Employed26016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kennewick ($88,908) and Marysville ($83,770) school counselor salaries.KennewickMarysvilleMedian Salary$88,908$83,770Entry Level (P10)$61,116$58,009Top Earner (P90)$122,091$129,843US Median $64,335

Verdict

Kennewick, WA offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Marysville.

The salary gap between Kennewick and Marysville is $5,138 (6.13%). Kennewick's median is +38.20% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kennewick spans $60,975,Marysville spans $71,834. Marysville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Kennewick
P10 (Entry)$61,116
P25$72,317
Median$88,908
P75$115,721
P90 (Top)$122,091
Marysville
P10 (Entry)$58,009
P25$65,739
Median$83,770
P75$106,519
P90 (Top)$129,843

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kennewick ($88,838 effective) pays 13.90% more than Marysville ($77,998 effective).

Kennewick
Nominal: $88,908
CoL Index: 100.079
Adjusted: $88,838
Marysville
Nominal: $83,770
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $77,998

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kennewick if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,908/year)
  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $88,838)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Marysville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($129,843)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Kennewick grew 24.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -2.8% growth in Marysville over the same period.

Kennewick, WA

+24.9%

$69,750 (2019) → $87,122 (2025)

Marysville, WA

+-2.8%

$84,490 (2024) → $82,087 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Kennewick or Marysville?

Kennewick has a higher median school counselor salary at $88,908/year, compared to Marysville at $83,770/year — a difference of $5,138 (6.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kennewick and Marysville?

Kennewick school counselors earn $42.75/hr while Marysville hygienists earn $40.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kennewick to Marysville as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kennewick and Marysville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kennewick = $88,838, Marysville = $77,998), job availability (260 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Kennewick vs Marysville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $61,116 in Kennewick and $58,009 in Marysville. The Kennewick area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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