School Counselor Salary in Ashland, KY: $60,100 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Ashland, KY earns a median $60,100/year (≈ $28.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Ashland's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $67,301 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $60,100 in 2026, school counselors in Ashland, Kentucky, find themselves in a unique salary situation. This figure illustrates a gap when compared to the national median, which stands at $64,335, representing a difference of about 6.58%. The salary range for local school counselors varies significantly from $43,391 at the 10th percentile to $91,291 at the 90th percentile. It's essential to understand these local estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price structures, giving insight into the fair compensation for professionals in this field. For those looking to understand the compensation framework better, it adheres to a step-and-lane scale akin to what teachers follow, affected by educational background and years of experience, making Ashland's market dynamic for potential school counselors.
About the Ashland Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,391 | $20.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,146 | $23.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,100 | $28.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,876 | $36.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,291 | $43.89 |
Median Salary Position
6.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ashland
In Ashland, KY, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,900 (2026 est.). At $60,100, the local median is 6.58% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ashland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ashland School Counselor Pay Compares
Ashland median: $60,100/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ashland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $65,255 | -7.90% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -6.58% less |
School Counselors in Ashland, KY earn a median of $60,100 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.58% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 7.90% below the Kentucky state average of $65,255.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ashland has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ashland, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $60,100 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,301 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,219
2025 BLS Actual
$58,893
2026 Current Est.
$60,100
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Ashland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,219 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,208 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,396 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,057 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,494 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,273 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,893 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,100 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,332 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ashland metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $52,219 (2019) to $58,893 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,332 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,113 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ashland 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $43,391 – $48,146 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,146 – $60,100 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,100 – $74,876 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,876 – $91,291 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Ashland
In the Ashland job market, only four school counselors are employed, indicating a niche yet stable local presence. The cost of living index is notably lower at 89.3, which means that take-home purchasing power can extend further compared to other regions. In terms of pay scales, K-12 public school districts are typically the primary employers, offering structured compensation through step-and-lane models. The disparity in pay stems from the varying educational qualifications, such as master's degrees versus those with additional credits or doctorates, as well as factors like summer program stipends and specialized roles. To maximize pay in this context, aspiring school counselors should consider pursuing higher education qualifications and seek positions in districts that offer summer contracts or those with extended school years to enhance earnings. Understanding the local employment landscape and the financial implications of the cost of living is crucial for making informed career choices.
More salary data for Ashland, KY:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $58,893 for school counselorsin the Ashland metropolitan area. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Ashland 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