School Counselor Salary in Springfield, OH: $56,375 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Springfield, OH earns a median $56,375/year (≈ $27.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Springfield's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.5), that paycheck buys what $62,305 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Springfield, Ohio, school counselors are projected to earn a median annual salary of $56,375 in 2026, a figure that lags behind the national median of $64,335. The salary range for school counselors here varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at around $38,583, while highly experienced professionals can earn up to $93,108. This data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and reflects local market conditions that can be influenced by the city's high school counselor-to-student ratios. Currently, Springfield's ratio falls short of the American School Counselor Association's (ASCA) recommended 1:250, a situation that highlights the ongoing need for more counselors to adequately support student mental health, particularly in the wake of increased funding for counseling positions after the pandemic.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,583 | $18.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,654 | $21.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,375 | $27.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,797 | $37.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,108 | $44.76 |
Median Salary Position
12.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Springfield
In Springfield, OH, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,525 (2026 est.). At $56,375, the local median is 12.37% below the national median of $64,335.
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At 40 hours/week in Springfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Springfield School Counselor Pay Compares
Springfield median: $56,375/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Springfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $61,012 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -12.37% less |
School Counselors in Springfield, OH earn a median of $56,375 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.37% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 7.60% below the Ohio state average of $61,012.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Springfield has a cost of living 9.52% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Springfield, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.482 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $56,375 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,305 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,750
2025 BLS Actual
$55,243
2026 Current Est.
$56,375
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,243 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,375 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,531 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Springfield metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 6.7% from $51,750 (2019) to $55,243 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,531 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,781 (11.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield 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) | $38,583 – $44,654 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,654 – $56,375 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,375 – $77,797 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,797 – $93,108 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Springfield
In terms of job market dynamics, Springfield employs around 140 school counselors, which showcases a modest demand in the local educational sector. The cost-of-living index in the area stands at 90.482, which indicates that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power is relatively balanced for residents. Employment opportunities vary widely across different educational institutions; typically, K-12 public school districts offer competitive salaries, particularly for candidates with advanced degrees or extensive experience. The pay discrepancy within the local market is often driven by the step-and-lane pay scale associated with public education, where factors such as educational attainment and years of service can significantly impact salaries. For prospective counselors aiming to maximize their earnings in Springfield, focusing on gaining additional certifications and pursuing leadership roles, such as department heads or program advisors, can be effective strategies for enhancing salary potential.
More salary data for Springfield, 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 $55,243 for school counselorsin the Springfield 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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