Entry-Level School Counselor Salary in Kennewick, WA: $61,116 (2026)
Quick Answer:New school counselors entering the Kennewick, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $61,116 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 21-1012, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kennewick's local price level (BEA RPP 100.1 — 0% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $61,068 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($88,908) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Prospective school counselors seeking entry-level positions in Kennewick, WA, can anticipate a starting school counselor salary of around $61,116 in 2026. This figure represents a significant gap from the city’s median salary estimate of $88,908 but offers a clear trajectory for growth during the initial years of one’s career, moving from that starting point to approximately $72,317 (25th percentile) as skills and experience accumulate. For new graduates, Kennewick presents a favorable labor market, especially given the expected 2.05% annual growth rate which illustrates an increasing demand for mental health support in schools, particularly in the wake of heightened focus on student wellness following the COVID-19 crisis.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kennewick
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kennewick
Entry-level school counselors in Kennewick, WA typically start between $61,116 and $72,317 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $60,975 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $88,908 — 38.2% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average school counseling program cost in Washington of $52,000 represents just 85.08% of the starting school counselor pay ($61,116/year) in Kennewick. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CACREP-accredited master's programs in school counseling. In-state public institutions are the lowest-cost option; private universities carry higher tuition. Totals reflect tuition and required fees; practicum and internship hours are typically unpaid and add opportunity cost. State licensure requirements may mandate additional coursework.
SC, LSC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Kennewick
- 1Research the Kennewick market: entry-level school counselor pay ranges from $61,116 to $72,317, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the school counseling field — employers in WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Kennewick, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Kennewick for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Kennewick's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
School Counselor Compensation Range
The school counselor wage spread in Kennewick is $60,975 ( 99.77%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $61,116, experienced hygienists can earn up to $122,091.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,230
2025 BLS Actual
$59,888
2026 Current Est.
$61,116
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Kennewick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,888 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,116 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,369 | Projected |
Entry-level school counselor compensation (10th percentile) in Kennewick, WA grew 21.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $49,230 in 2019 to $59,888 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $62,369. New graduates entering the Kennewick job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kennewick metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.05% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your school counseling Career in Kennewick
School districts within Kennewick are typically the main employers for newly minted master's-level counselors, offering positions with step-and-lane pay structures similar to K-12 educators. Public school districts are particularly appealing as they often provide additional benefits tied to professional credentials, such as a Master's degree from a CACREP-accredited program or state certification, which are critical for enhancing starting pay. New carpenters can also consider exploring opportunities with charter schools or even DoDEA schools which can offer competitive starting salaries and bonuses like Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA). It's crucial for new counselors to consider ongoing professional development; additional certifications, such as National Board Certification, can further boost career advancement. Given the large school counselor-to-student ratios—currently averaging 1:385 nationally but recommended at 1:250—the job outlook remains strong, with a robust increase in district hiring aimed at addressing the mental health initiatives that have recently gained importance in educational settings.
More salary data for Kennewick, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new school counseling graduates. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Kennewick. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.05%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for school counselors (SOC 21-1012).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov