School Counselor Salary in Ponca City, OK: $52,074 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Ponca City, OK earns a median $52,074/year (≈ $25.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Ponca City's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $58,576 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% below the Oklahoma state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The expansion of mental health funding following the COVID-19 pandemic has positively impacted the hiring of school counselors in Ponca City, OK. In 2026, the projected median annual salary for a school counselor is $52,074, which reflects a gap compared to the national median salary of $64,335. The salary range for school counselors in the city varies significantly, from $40,156 at the lower end to $79,890 at the upper end. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, indicate a growing demand for school counseling professionals amid increased governmental focus on student mental health support. Consequently, Ponca City’s job market for school counselors is expected to remain competitive in the coming years.
About the Ponca City Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,156 | $19.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,413 | $20.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,074 | $25.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,366 | $31.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,890 | $38.41 |
Median Salary Position
19.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ponca City
In Ponca City, OK, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,734 (2026 est.). At $52,074, the local median is 19.06% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ponca City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ponca City School Counselor Pay Compares
Ponca City median: $52,074/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ponca City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $56,054 | -7.10% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -19.06% less |
School Counselors in Ponca City, OK earn a median of $52,074 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.06% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 7.10% below the Oklahoma state average of $56,054.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ponca City has a cost of living 11.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ponca City, OK has a cost-of-living index of 88.9 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $52,074 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,576 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.49% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$45,245
2025 BLS Actual
$51,028
2026 Current Est.
$52,074
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Ponca City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,245 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,102 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,998 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,704 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,252 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,028 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,074 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,142 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ponca City metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $45,245 (2019) to $51,028 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,142 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,897 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ponca City 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) | $40,156 – $43,413 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,413 – $52,074 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,074 – $65,366 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,366 – $79,890 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Ponca City
Within Ponca City, there are currently four school counselors employed, contributing to a local job market that is promising yet modest in size. The cost of living index, at 88.9, suggests that while salaries may be lower than national averages, purchasing power remains relatively strong in comparison to larger urban areas. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer the most competitive salaries, adhering to the state's step-and-lane pay structure based on experience and education level. The variation in compensation can be attributed to factors such as higher pay for advanced degrees, extended contracts, and stipends for additional responsibilities. For those in Ponca City seeking to maximize their school counselor pay, pursuing additional education, gaining specialized certifications, and engaging in extracurricular support roles can enhance their earning potential in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Ponca City, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Ponca City, OK in 2026?
Is Ponca City, OK a good place to work as a school counselor?
Can school counselors make $100K in Ponca City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted school counselor salary in Ponca City?
How much does a school counselor make per hour in Ponca City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oklahoma
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 $51,028 for school counselorsin the Ponca City 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 Ponca City 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