School Counselor Salary in Barberton, OH: $57,913 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Barberton, OH earns a median $57,913/year (≈ $27.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Barberton's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $63,851 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, school counselors in Barberton, OH, can expect a median annual salary of $57,913, which reflects a nearly 10% decrease compared to the national median of $64,335 for the same year. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly from $42,368 at the 10th percentile to $89,766 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional living costs, indicate the unique pay structure within the region. The compensation aligns with the area's step-and-lane system typically utilized in K-12 educational institutions, where positions are categorized by education level and years of experience. This structured approach can create substantial salary differences depending on individual qualifications and the specific district's budget for mental health and counseling services.
About the Barberton Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,368 | $20.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,856 | $22.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,913 | $27.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,195 | $35.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,766 | $43.16 |
Median Salary Position
9.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Barberton
In Barberton, OH, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,398 (2026 est.). At $57,913, the local median is 9.98% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Barberton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Barberton School Counselor Pay Compares
Barberton median: $57,913/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Barberton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $61,026 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -9.98% less |
School Counselors in Barberton, OH earn a median of $57,913 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.98% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.10% below the Ohio state average of $61,026.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Barberton has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Barberton, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $57,913 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,851 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,319
2025 BLS Actual
$56,750
2026 Current Est.
$57,913
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Barberton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,319 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,272 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,054 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,439 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,115 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,913 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,101 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Barberton metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $50,319 (2019) to $56,750 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,101 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,782 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Barberton 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) | $42,368 – $46,856 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,856 – $57,913 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,913 – $73,195 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,195 – $89,766 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Barberton
The job market in Barberton reveals that a total of six school counselors are currently employed in the area, providing limited competition for available roles. With a cost-of-living index of 90.7, purchasing power for local counselors may feel more favorable, yet it remains essential for new entrants in the field to understand the dynamics influencing compensation. Key employers in Barberton include K-12 public school districts, which generally follow a standardized salary scale that rewards advanced education and experience. The variation in pay could stem from multiple factors, including specific contractual obligations, additional responsibilities, and involvement in summer programs. To maximize earning potential, school counselors should focus on enhancing their qualifications through further education and certifications, actively seek roles within districts known for higher pay, and consider additional stipends for leadership or specialized counseling roles, as these can greatly enhance overall compensation packages without compromising the required counselor-to-student ratio recommendations.
More salary data for Barberton, OH:
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 $56,750 for school counselorsin the Barberton 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 Barberton 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