School Counselor Pay

Oklahoma City vs Stillwater: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Oklahoma City, OK
$52,815
$25.39/hr
Stillwater, OK
$54,524
$26.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOklahoma City, OKStillwater, OK
Median Salary$52,815$54,524
Hourly Rate$25.39$26.22
Entry Level (P10)$41,964$39,020
25th Percentile$46,564$43,694
75th Percentile$68,996$69,791
Top Earner (P90)$84,387$84,513
Total Employed1,88013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Oklahoma City ($52,815) and Stillwater ($54,524) school counselor salaries.Oklahoma CityStillwaterMedian Salary$52,815$54,524Entry Level (P10)$41,964$39,020Top Earner (P90)$84,387$84,513US Median $64,335

Verdict

Stillwater, OK offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Oklahoma City.

The salary gap between Oklahoma City and Stillwater is $1,709 (3.24%). Stillwater's median is -15.25% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Oklahoma City spans $42,423,Stillwater spans $45,493. Stillwater has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Oklahoma City
P10 (Entry)$41,964
P25$46,564
Median$52,815
P75$68,996
P90 (Top)$84,387
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, Stillwater ($61,332 effective) pays 4.99% more than Oklahoma City ($58,419 effective).

Oklahoma City
Nominal: $52,815
CoL Index: 90.408
Adjusted: $58,419
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 Oklahoma City if…

  • Larger job market (1,880 employed)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Stillwater if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,524/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,513)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,332)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Oklahoma City grew 10.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.3% growth in Stillwater over the same period.

Oklahoma City, OK

+10.8%

$46,700 (2019) → $51,754 (2025)

Stillwater, OK

+10.3%

$48,429 (2024) → $53,429 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Oklahoma City or Stillwater?

Stillwater has a higher median school counselor salary at $54,524/year, compared to Oklahoma City at $52,815/year — a difference of $1,709 (3.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Oklahoma City and Stillwater?

Oklahoma City school counselors earn $25.39/hr while Stillwater hygienists earn $26.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Oklahoma City to Stillwater as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Oklahoma City and Stillwater. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Oklahoma City = $58,419, Stillwater = $61,332), job availability (1,880 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $41,964 in Oklahoma City and $39,020 in Stillwater. The Oklahoma City 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