School Counselor Salary in Washington: $85,497 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Washington's 50 metropolitan areas, the average median school counselor pay sits at $85,497/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 21-1012. Because Washington sits at BEA RPP 107.4 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $79,606 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bremerton ($100,597), Mount Vernon ($94,844), Yakima ($94,443).
In 2026, the average median salary for school counselors in Washington is projected to be $85,497, significantly higher than the national median of $64,335, reflecting a difference of 32.9%. The disparity in salaries between different cities in Washington is notable, with Bremerton offering the highest average at $102,659, while Walla Walla presents the lowest at $64,906, indicating a salary gap of $37,753. This variation can be attributed to factors such as local cost of living, funding for education, population demographics, and demand for counseling services. Washington requires school counselors to have state-specific licensing, which involves completing a master's program in counseling and obtaining certification. The demand for school counselors is driven by increasing awareness of mental health needs in educational settings, and this is reflected in a projected annual growth rate of 2.05% for the profession. As of 2026, there are 6,064 school counselors employed across the state, with top-paying cities including Mount Vernon at $96,788, Yakima at $96,379, Richland at $90,761, and Kennewick at $88,908. Overall, the job market for school counselors in Washington remains strong, with expected growth and a favorable salary landscape.
Washington School Counselor Salary Range
Overall salary range in Washington: $51,934 (lowest entry-level) to $140,680 (highest top earner)
Washington vs National Average
Washington school counselors earn 32.89% more than the national median (+$21,162/year difference).
Washington School Counselor Salary Distribution (2026)
School Counselor salaries in Washington range from $59,943 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $124,951 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $85,497. The Washington median is $21,162 above the US national median of $64,335. The average hourly rate is $41.10/hr. Approximately 6,064 school counselors are employed across 50 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,731
2025 BLS Actual
$83,780
2026 Current Est.
$85,497
2019–2027 Growth
+36.9%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,731 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,644 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,332 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,372 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,883 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,933 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,497 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,250 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 31.5% from $63,731 (2019) to $83,780 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,250 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,519 (36.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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 Washington
Lowest Paying Cities in Washington
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Walla Walla | $64,906 |
| Bellingham | $69,806 |
| Spokane | $75,997 |
| Tukwila | $76,772 |
| Mountlake Terrace | $76,891 |
Best Value Cities for School Counselors in Washington
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Washington cities offer the most purchasing power for school counselors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yakima | $96,379 | 95.545 | $100,873 |
| Bremerton | $102,659 | 105.607 | $97,209 |
| Mount Vernon | $96,788 | 102.443 | $94,480 |
| Kennewick | $88,908 | 100.079 | $88,838 |
| Richland | $90,761 | 107.4 | $84,507 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $59,943 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $85,497 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $124,951 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Washington metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 50 Cities in Washington
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bremerton | $102,659 |
| 2 | Mount Vernon | $96,788 |
| 3 | Yakima | $96,379 |
| 4 | Richland | $90,761 |
| 5 | Kennewick | $88,908 |
| 6 | Bellevue | $88,143 |
| 7 | Seattle | $87,287 |
| 8 | Tacoma | $85,831 |
| 9 | Renton | $85,227 |
| 10 | Everett | $84,401 |
| 11 | Tumwater | $83,819 |
| 12 | Marysville | $83,770 |
| 13 | Shoreline | $83,309 |
| 14 | Olympia | $83,057 |
| 15 | Redmond | $82,980 |
| 16 | Kent | $82,912 |
| 17 | Kirkland | $82,776 |
| 18 | Burien | $82,671 |
| 19 | Lacey | $82,377 |
| 20 | Wenatchee | $82,307 |
| 21 | Federal Way | $82,307 |
| 22 | Des Moines | $82,290 |
| 23 | Auburn | $82,098 |
| 24 | Lakewood | $82,066 |
| 25 | Issaquah | $82,020 |
| 26 | Sammamish | $81,480 |
| 27 | University Place | $81,452 |
| 28 | SeaTac | $81,388 |
| 29 | Pasco | $81,040 |
| 30 | Edmonds | $80,543 |
| 31 | Lake Stevens | $80,331 |
| 32 | Lynnwood | $80,279 |
| 33 | Moses Lake | $80,125 |
| 34 | Bothell | $80,066 |
| 35 | Pullman | $79,711 |
| 36 | Puyallup | $79,532 |
| 37 | Ellensburg | $79,233 |
| 38 | Maple Valley | $79,015 |
| 39 | Vancouver | $78,912 |
| 40 | Camas | $78,816 |
| 41 | Longview | $78,497 |
| 42 | Oak Harbor | $78,484 |
| 43 | Kenmore | $77,977 |
| 44 | Covington | $77,971 |
| 45 | Spokane Valley | $77,459 |
| 46 | Mountlake Terrace | $76,891 |
| 47 | Tukwila | $76,772 |
| 48 | Spokane | $75,997 |
| 49 | Bellingham | $69,806 |
| 50 | Walla Walla | $64,906 |
More Washington Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore school counselor hourly pay in Washington cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced school counselors.
Compare Cities in Washington
View all comparisons →Explore More School Counselor Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Washington in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for school counselors in Washington?
How does Washington school counselor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level school counselor salary in Washington?
How many school counselors are employed in Washington?
Which Washington 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 Washington. State averages are employment-weighted across 50 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