School Counselor Salary in Lake Stevens, WA: $80,331 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Lake Stevens, WA earns a median $80,331/year (≈ $38.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Lake Stevens's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $74,796 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With the increase in mental health funding following COVID-19, school counselor salary in Lake Stevens has seen a notable upswing, reflecting the need for enhanced support in educational environments. For 2026, the median annual salary for school counselors is projected at $80,331, which is significantly higher than the national median of $64,335. This salary range spans from $60,846 at the 10th percentile to $123,584 at the 90th percentile, based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and regional costs in Washington. The expanding role of counselors in K-12 settings underscores the growing emphasis on mental health within schools, indicating a competitive job market for school counselors in the Lake Stevens area.
About the Lake Stevens Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,846 | $29.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,779 | $32.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,331 | $38.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,245 | $48.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,584 | $59.41 |
Median Salary Position
24.86% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Stevens
In Lake Stevens, WA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,738 (2026 est.). At $80,331, the local median is 24.86% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Stevens: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Stevens School Counselor Pay Compares
Lake Stevens median: $80,331/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Stevens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $83,072 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +24.86% more |
School Counselors in Lake Stevens, WA earn a median of $80,331 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.86% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 3.30% below the Washington state average of $83,072.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Stevens has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Stevens, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,331 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,796 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,797
2025 BLS Actual
$78,717
2026 Current Est.
$80,331
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Lake Stevens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,797 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,118 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,043 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,511 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,022 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,717 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,331 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,977 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Stevens metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $69,797 (2019) to $78,717 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,977 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,180 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Stevens 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) | $60,846 – $66,779 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,779 – $80,331 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,331 – $100,245 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,245 – $123,584 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Lake Stevens
Despite employing only nine school counselors, Lake Stevens presents a promising job market for those in the profession. The local cost of living index is 107.4, which is above the national average, suggesting that school counselor pay in Lake Stevens WA is aligned to accommodate this higher expense. Among the various educational institutions, K-12 public school districts typically offer the highest compensation, particularly when considering factors such as the school district's step-and-lane pay scale that rewards experience and education level. The disparity in pay is also affected by variations in positions, extended contracts, and additional responsibilities like summer programs or club advisorships. To maximize earnings, new school counselors should aim for positions that provide additional stipends and consider furthering their education to reach master's+30 or doctoral-level placements, enhancing their potential in this growing field.
More salary data for Lake Stevens, WA:
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 $78,717 for school counselorsin the Lake Stevens 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 Lake Stevens 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