Entry-Level School Counselor Salary in Moses Lake, WA: $60,605 (2026)
Quick Answer:New school counselors entering the Moses Lake, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $60,605 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 21-1012, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Moses Lake's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $56,429 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($80,125) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Entering the workforce as a new school counselor in Moses Lake, WA offers competitive prospects. Graduates just starting out can expect an entry-level school counselor salary in Moses Lake to begin at around $60,605 in 2026. While this figure is below the city’s median annual salary of $80,125, the initial earning potential is realistic, especially considering the projected growth trajectory from this starting point to $66,358 within the first few years of employment. For those willing to invest in their education and gain relevant experience, there is room for advancement in a community that values educational support, making Moses Lake a suitable market for new graduates in school counseling.
About the Moses Lake Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Moses Lake
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 Moses Lake
Entry-level school counselors in Moses Lake, WA typically start between $60,605 and $66,358 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $63,588 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $80,125 — 24.54% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average school counseling program cost in Washington of $52,000 represents just 85.80% of the starting school counselor pay ($60,605/year) in Moses Lake. 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 Moses Lake
- 1Research the Moses Lake market: entry-level school counselor pay ranges from $60,605 to $66,358, 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 Moses Lake, 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 Moses Lake for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Moses Lake'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 Moses Lake is $63,588 ( 104.92%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $60,605, experienced hygienists can earn up to $124,193.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,352
2025 BLS Actual
$59,388
2026 Current Est.
$60,605
2019–2027 Growth
+36.4%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Moses Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,352 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,988 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,534 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,497 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,951 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,559 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,388 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,605 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,848 | Projected |
Entry-level school counselor compensation (10th percentile) in Moses Lake, WA grew 30.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $45,352 in 2019 to $59,388 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $61,848. New graduates entering the Moses Lake job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake
New school counselors entering the workforce can look primarily to public school districts in Moses Lake for employment opportunities, as these institutions tend to hire the majority of master's-level counselors. Typically, new graduates will find that school districts implement a step-and-lane structure akin to that of teaching staff, providing consistent wage increases that align with experience and education level. Credentials matter significantly, so acquiring a master’s degree in school counseling from a CACREP-accredited program and obtaining state certification can lead to enhanced starting positions. Moreover, with the recommended school counselor-to-student ratio being 1:250 compared to the national average of 1:385, the recent mental health funding expansion post-COVID could lead to more hiring in local districts, creating additional job openings for newcomers. As entry-level salaries gradually rise, new grads can anticipate realistic salary growth as they establish their careers in this supportive community.
More salary data for Moses Lake, 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 Moses Lake. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Moses Lake is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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