School Counselor Salary in Eugene, OR: $58,385 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Eugene, OR earns a median $58,385/year (≈ $28.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Eugene's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.6), that paycheck buys what $57,484 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 20.7% below the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Eugene, Oregon, the compensation for school counselors is projected to be competitive yet reflects a regional disparity when compared to national figures. With a median annual salary of $58,385, counselors in the area fall behind the national benchmark of $64,335 by approximately 9.25%. The salary range varies widely, from $50,305 at the 10th percentile up to $110,480 at the 90th percentile, offering distinct opportunities for those entering the field or advancing their careers. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights a growing demand for school counselors in light of post-COVID mental health funding expansions, even as Eugene exhibits a counselor-to-student ratio that exceeds the American School Counselor Association's recommended standard of 1:250.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,305 | $24.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,544 | $24.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,385 | $28.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,078 | $39.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,480 | $53.12 |
Median Salary Position
9.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Eugene
In Eugene, OR, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,175 (2026 est.). At $58,385, the local median is 9.25% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Eugene: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Eugene School Counselor Pay Compares
Eugene median: $58,385/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Eugene Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $73,625 | -20.70% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -9.25% less |
School Counselors in Eugene, OR earn a median of $58,385 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.25% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 20.70% below the Oregon state average of $73,625.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Eugene has a cost of living 1.57% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Eugene, OR has a cost-of-living index of 101.568 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $58,385 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,484 — a 1.54% reduction.
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
$48,080
2025 BLS Actual
$57,212
2026 Current Est.
$58,385
2019–2027 Growth
+23.9%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Eugene (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,212 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,385 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,582 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Eugene metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 19.0% from $48,080 (2019) to $57,212 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,582 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,502 (23.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Eugene 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) | $50,305 – $50,544 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,544 – $58,385 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,385 – $82,078 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,078 – $110,480 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Eugene
The local job market for school counselors in Eugene is noteworthy, with around 330 professionals currently employed in this role. The cost of living index of 101.568 indicates a reasonable alignment with the national average, but higher living expenses can impact take-home pay. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts tend to offer the highest compensation, adhering to a traditional step-and-lane pay scale influenced by years of experience and education level. Factors such as advanced degrees, mentorship roles, and extended school year contracts can also enhance salary potential. Given the nuances in pay based on individual qualifications and school district policies, prospective counselors in Eugene should focus on obtaining additional certifications and exploring leadership opportunities within their schools to maximize their overall compensation.
More salary data for Eugene, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Eugene, OR in 2026?
Is Eugene, OR a good place to work as a school counselor?
Can school counselors make $100K in Eugene?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted school counselor salary in Eugene?
How much does a school counselor make per hour in Eugene?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oregon
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 $57,212 for school counselorsin the Eugene 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