School Counselor Pay

Lawton vs Stillwater: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Lawton, OK and Stillwater, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lawton, OK
$60,755
$29.22/hr
Stillwater, OK
$54,524
$26.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLawton, OKStillwater, OK
Median Salary$60,755$54,524
Hourly Rate$29.22$26.22
Entry Level (P10)$37,343$39,020
25th Percentile$50,215$43,694
75th Percentile$79,537$69,791
Top Earner (P90)$101,480$84,513
Total Employed17013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lawton ($60,755) and Stillwater ($54,524) school counselor salaries.LawtonStillwaterMedian Salary$60,755$54,524Entry Level (P10)$37,343$39,020Top Earner (P90)$101,480$84,513US Median $64,335

Verdict

Lawton, OK offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Stillwater.

The salary gap between Lawton and Stillwater is $6,231 (11.43%). Lawton's median is -5.56% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lawton spans $64,137,Stillwater spans $45,493. Lawton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lawton
P10 (Entry)$37,343
P25$50,215
Median$60,755
P75$79,537
P90 (Top)$101,480
Stillwater
P10 (Entry)$39,020
P25$43,694
Median$54,524
P75$69,791
P90 (Top)$84,513

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lawton ($70,694 effective) pays 15.26% more than Stillwater ($61,332 effective).

Lawton
Nominal: $60,755
CoL Index: 85.941
Adjusted: $70,694
Stillwater
Nominal: $54,524
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $61,332

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lawton if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,755/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($101,480)
  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,694)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Stillwater if…

  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Lawton grew 24.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.3% growth in Stillwater over the same period.

Lawton, OK

+24.9%

$47,680 (2019) → $59,535 (2025)

Stillwater, OK

+10.3%

$48,429 (2024) → $53,429 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Lawton or Stillwater?

Lawton has a higher median school counselor salary at $60,755/year, compared to Stillwater at $54,524/year — a difference of $6,231 (11.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lawton and Stillwater?

Lawton school counselors earn $29.22/hr while Stillwater hygienists earn $26.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lawton to Stillwater as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lawton and Stillwater. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lawton = $70,694, Stillwater = $61,332), job availability (170 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Lawton vs Stillwater?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $37,343 in Lawton and $39,020 in Stillwater. The Stillwater 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