School Counselor Salary in Parma, OH: $61,484 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Parma, OH earns a median $61,484/year (≈ $29.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Parma's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $67,788 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the wake of heightened mental health funding post-COVID, Parma, Ohio, has seen a notable change in its school counseling landscape, leading to a median annual salary of $61,484 for school counselors in 2026. This reflects local estimates influenced by state-level data and adjusted for regional price variations. With a salary range spanning from $42,584 at the 10th percentile to $95,300 at the 90th percentile, the compensation reflects the varying demands and responsibilities associated with these vital roles. While the salary in Parma is slightly lower than the national median of $64,335, the local job market is evolving to attract and retain talented professionals, with the community recognizing the importance of mental health support in schools.
About the Parma Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,584 | $20.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,208 | $23.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,484 | $29.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,210 | $37.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,300 | $45.82 |
Median Salary Position
4.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Parma
In Parma, OH, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,716 (2026 est.). At $61,484, the local median is 4.43% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Parma: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Parma School Counselor Pay Compares
Parma median: $61,484/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Parma Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $60,996 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | -4.43% less |
School Counselors in Parma, OH earn a median of $61,484 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.43% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.80% above the Ohio state average of $60,996.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Parma 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.
Parma, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $61,484 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,788 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,421
2025 BLS Actual
$60,249
2026 Current Est.
$61,484
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Parma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,421 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,433 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,671 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,325 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,795 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,513 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,249 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,484 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,745 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Parma metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $53,421 (2019) to $60,249 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,745 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,324 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Parma 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) | $42,584 – $48,208 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,208 – $61,484 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,484 – $78,210 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,210 – $95,300 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Parma
The job market for school counselors in Parma currently employs 12 professionals, a figure that highlights the localized demand in the field. The area's cost-of-living index of 90.7 indicates that expenses are lower than the national average, which may enhance the real purchasing power of salaries. Among the primary employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer competitive wages, consistent with the step-and-lane pay structure widely used for educators. Variations in compensation arise from factors such as years of experience, educational level, and specific roles taken on by counselors, such as leading summer programs or serving as department heads. To maximize earnings in Parma, school counselors should consider pursuing additional certifications, taking on leadership roles, and negotiating for extended contracts that may provide additional stipends, thus capitalizing on the growing emphasis on mental health support within the education system.
More salary data for Parma, 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 $60,249 for school counselorsin the Parma 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 Parma 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