School Counselor Pay

Kennewick vs Redmond: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Kennewick, WA
$88,908
$42.75/hr
Redmond, WA
$82,980
$39.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKennewick, WARedmond, WA
Median Salary$88,908$82,980
Hourly Rate$42.75$39.89
Entry Level (P10)$61,116$56,272
25th Percentile$72,317$64,163
75th Percentile$115,721$104,526
Top Earner (P90)$122,091$128,619
Total Employed26014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kennewick ($88,908) and Redmond ($82,980) school counselor salaries.KennewickRedmondMedian Salary$88,908$82,980Entry Level (P10)$61,116$56,272Top Earner (P90)$122,091$128,619US Median $64,335

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Kennewick and Redmond is $5,928 (7.14%). 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,Redmond spans $72,347. Redmond 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
Redmond
P10 (Entry)$56,272
P25$64,163
Median$82,980
P75$104,526
P90 (Top)$128,619

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kennewick ($88,838 effective) pays 14.98% more than Redmond ($77,263 effective).

Kennewick
Nominal: $88,908
CoL Index: 100.079
Adjusted: $88,838
Redmond
Nominal: $82,980
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $77,263

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 Redmond if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($128,619)
  • 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 Redmond over the same period.

Kennewick, WA

+24.9%

$69,750 (2019) → $87,122 (2025)

Redmond, WA

+-2.8%

$83,694 (2024) → $81,313 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Kennewick or Redmond?

Kennewick has a higher median school counselor salary at $88,908/year, compared to Redmond at $82,980/year — a difference of $5,928 (7.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kennewick and Redmond?

Kennewick school counselors earn $42.75/hr while Redmond hygienists earn $39.89/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kennewick and Redmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kennewick = $88,838, Redmond = $77,263), job availability (260 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $61,116 in Kennewick and $56,272 in Redmond. The Kennewick 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