School Counselor Salary in Chillicothe, OH: $57,430 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Chillicothe, OH earns a median $57,430/year (≈ $27.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Chillicothe's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $63,319 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chillicothe, Ohio, school counselors are projected to earn a median annual salary of $57,430 in 2026. This figure is significantly lower than the national median of $64,335, reflecting the local job market conditions and socioeconomic factors. The salary range for these positions extends from $40,446 at the 10th percentile to $89,016 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse array of compensation levels based on experience, qualifications, and the specific employing institution. Currently, there are six school counselors employed in the area, and the local data is derived from BLS state-level projections coupled with regional cost adjustments, which factor into the local cost of living.
About the Chillicothe Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,446 | $19.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,822 | $23.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,430 | $27.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,976 | $35.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,016 | $42.80 |
Median Salary Position
10.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chillicothe
In Chillicothe, OH, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,570 (2026 est.). At $57,430, the local median is 10.73% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chillicothe: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chillicothe School Counselor Pay Compares
Chillicothe median: $57,430/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chillicothe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $60,966 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -10.73% less |
School Counselors in Chillicothe, OH earn a median of $57,430 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.73% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.80% below the Ohio state average of $60,966.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chillicothe 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.
Chillicothe, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $57,430 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,319 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,899
2025 BLS Actual
$56,276
2026 Current Est.
$57,430
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Chillicothe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,899 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,843 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,934 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,611 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,984 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,655 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,276 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,430 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,607 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chillicothe metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $49,899 (2019) to $56,276 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,607 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,708 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chillicothe 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) | $40,446 – $48,822 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,822 – $57,430 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,430 – $72,976 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,976 – $89,016 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Chillicothe
While the school counselor pay in Chillicothe, OH, appears lower than the national standard, the cost of living index stands at 90.7, suggesting that take-home purchasing power may be more favorable than salaries alone would indicate. In this region, K-12 public school districts often provide the most competitive salaries among local employers, with compensation structures typically aligned with a step-and-lane pay scale. Factors like years of experience and educational advancements significantly influence salary variation within the district. In addition, those seeking to maximize their school counselor salary in Chillicothe might benefit from accumulating experience in extended school year contracts or taking on stipend roles such as department heads or club advisors, which can further augment base pay.
More salary data for Chillicothe, 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 $56,276 for school counselorsin the Chillicothe 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 Chillicothe 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