School Counselor Salary in Stow, OH: $58,098 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Stow, OH earns a median $58,098/year (≈ $27.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Stow's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $64,055 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, individuals in school counseling roles in Stow, Ohio, can expect a median annual salary of $58,098, which is notably lower than the national median of $64,335. The projected salary range within the area varies significantly, from $42,557 at the lowest to $90,052 at the upper end. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional living costs, which are somewhat lower in Stow, evidenced by a cost-of-living index of 90.7. Salary scales for school counselors typically align with the K-12 step-and-lane structure, taking into consideration factors such as experience and educational attainment. While this salary represents the earning potential for counselors in the area, competition from surrounding districts and the impact of funding for mental health initiatives can influence career opportunities in this sector.
About the Stow Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,557 | $20.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,227 | $22.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,098 | $27.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,643 | $35.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,052 | $43.29 |
Median Salary Position
9.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Stow
In Stow, OH, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,495 (2026 est.). At $58,098, the local median is 9.69% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Stow: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Stow School Counselor Pay Compares
Stow median: $58,098/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Stow Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $60,963 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -9.69% less |
School Counselors in Stow, OH earn a median of $58,098 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.69% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.70% below the Ohio state average of $60,963.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Stow 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.
Stow, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $58,098 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,055 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,479
2025 BLS Actual
$56,931
2026 Current Est.
$58,098
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Stow (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,479 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,435 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,223 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,612 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,291 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,931 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,098 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,289 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Stow metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $50,479 (2019) to $56,931 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,289 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,810 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stow 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) | $42,557 – $47,227 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,227 – $58,098 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,098 – $73,643 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,643 – $90,052 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Stow
Among the nine school counselors employed locally, the salary landscape in Stow's K-12 system reveals opportunities for growth and variation. The cost of living in Stow, which is lower than the national average, translates to a favorable take-home purchasing power for educators. Public school districts generally offer competitive salaries, particularly for those with advanced degrees, such as a master's plus 30 credits or a doctorate, which also benefits from the expansion of mental health funding in recent years. Positions in counseling for charter schools or post-secondary institutions may also allow for greater earning potential. Strategic career decisions, such as seeking additional certifications or taking on extended contracts and stipends for leadership roles, can enhance salary prospects. Given the unique challenges and needs of school counseling post-COVID, understanding how much school counselors make in Stow will be essential for both current and aspiring professionals in this field.
More salary data for Stow, 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 $56,931 for school counselorsin the Stow 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 Stow 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