School Counselor Salary in Oregon: $74,888 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Oregon's 36 metropolitan areas, the average median school counselor pay sits at $74,888/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 21-1012. Because Oregon sits at BEA RPP 102.6 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,990 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bend ($80,380), Hillsboro ($78,581), Portland ($76,832).
In Oregon, school counselors are projected to earn a median salary of $74,888 in 2026, which is 16.4% higher than the national median of $64,335. The salary variation across the state is significant, with Bend offering the highest average salary at $82,028, while Springfield presents the lowest at $57,631, indicating a gap of $24,397. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for counselors, and variations in school funding levels. Oregon's required licensure for school counselors is aligned with educational and ethical standards, impacting salary scales. The increasing emphasis on mental health and student support services continues to drive demand in the profession. The projected annual growth rate for school counseling jobs in Oregon is 2.05%, indicating a stable job market for future professionals. The top five cities for school counselor salaries in 2026 are Bend ($82,028), Hillsboro ($80,192), Portland ($78,407), Salem ($75,517), and Gresham ($75,366). As the state enhances its focus on comprehensive student support, the outlook for school counselors remains positive, underpinned by ongoing societal needs and state educational policies.
Oregon School Counselor Salary Range
Overall salary range in Oregon: $41,657 (lowest entry-level) to $128,022 (highest top earner)
Oregon vs National Average
Oregon school counselors earn 16.40% more than the national median (+$10,553/year difference).
Oregon School Counselor Salary Distribution (2026)
School Counselor salaries in Oregon range from $52,212 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $120,058 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $74,888. The Oregon median is $10,553 above the US national median of $64,335. The average hourly rate is $36.01/hr. Approximately 3,941 school counselors are employed across 36 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,082
2025 BLS Actual
$73,384
2026 Current Est.
$74,888
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Oregon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,082 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,079 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,658 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,211 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,055 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,308 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,384 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,888 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,423 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oregon metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 18.2% from $62,082 (2019) to $73,384 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,423 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,341 (23.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oregon 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Oregon
Lowest Paying Cities in Oregon
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Springfield | $57,631 |
| Eugene | $58,385 |
| Corvallis | $60,835 |
| Milwaukie | $67,695 |
| Klamath Falls | $67,855 |
Best Value Cities for School Counselors in Oregon
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Oregon cities offer the most purchasing power for school counselors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | $82,028 | 103.607 | $79,172 |
| Hillsboro | $80,192 | 102.6 | $78,160 |
| Portland | $78,407 | 105.421 | $74,375 |
| Gresham | $75,366 | 102.6 | $73,456 |
| Salem | $75,517 | 103.649 | $72,858 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Oregon
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $52,212 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $74,888 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $120,058 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Oregon metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 36 Cities in Oregon
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bend | $82,028 |
| 2 | Hillsboro | $80,192 |
| 3 | Portland | $78,407 |
| 4 | Salem | $75,517 |
| 5 | Gresham | $75,366 |
| 6 | Albany | $73,657 |
| 7 | Beaverton | $73,221 |
| 8 | McMinnville | $73,022 |
| 9 | Oregon City | $72,936 |
| 10 | Woodburn | $72,450 |
| 11 | Lake Oswego | $72,101 |
| 12 | Forest Grove | $71,913 |
| 13 | Tigard | $71,611 |
| 14 | Redmond | $71,587 |
| 15 | West Linn | $71,381 |
| 16 | Medford | $71,346 |
| 17 | Grants Pass | $71,124 |
| 18 | Tualatin | $70,764 |
| 19 | Pendleton | $70,757 |
| 20 | Wilsonville | $70,655 |
| 21 | Happy Valley | $70,049 |
| 22 | Hermiston | $69,855 |
| 23 | Central Point | $69,822 |
| 24 | Ashland | $69,816 |
| 25 | Keizer | $69,798 |
| 26 | Sherwood | $69,794 |
| 27 | Coos Bay | $69,678 |
| 28 | Roseburg | $69,423 |
| 29 | Canby | $69,384 |
| 30 | Newberg | $69,002 |
| 31 | The Dalles | $68,265 |
| 32 | Klamath Falls | $67,855 |
| 33 | Milwaukie | $67,695 |
| 34 | Corvallis | $60,835 |
| 35 | Eugene | $58,385 |
| 36 | Springfield | $57,631 |
More Oregon Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced school counselors.
Explore More School Counselor Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Oregon in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for school counselors in Oregon?
How does Oregon school counselor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level school counselor salary in Oregon?
How many school counselors are employed in Oregon?
Which Oregon city offers the best value for school counselors?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 school counselor compensation across Oregon. State averages are employment-weighted across 36 metro areas — larger metro areas with more school counselorscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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