School Counselor Salary in Longview, WA: $78,497 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Longview, WA earns a median $78,497/year (≈ $37.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Longview's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.5), that paycheck buys what $80,473 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In the context of school counselor salaries in Longview, Washington, the 2026 median annual pay is projected to be $78,497. This figure represents a notable 22.01% increase compared to the national median of $64,335. Salary ranges for school counselors in the area show a spectrum with entry-level positions starting at $63,606 and more experienced roles reaching up to $112,760. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures reflect the established step-and-lane salary structure common in K-12 education, where counselors' compensation correlates with their years of experience and levels of education, such as master’s and master’s+30. Longview's counseling job market demonstrates stability within the education sector, providing substantial opportunities for newly credentialed professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,606 | $30.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,256 | $30.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,497 | $37.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,069 | $47.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,760 | $54.22 |
Median Salary Position
22.01% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Longview
In Longview, WA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,154 (2026 est.). At $78,497, the local median is 22.01% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Longview: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Longview School Counselor Pay Compares
Longview median: $78,497/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Longview Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $83,065 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +22.01% more |
School Counselors in Longview, WA earn a median of $78,497 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.01% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 5.50% below the Washington state average of $83,065.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Longview has a cost of living 2.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Longview, WA has a cost-of-living index of 97.545 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $78,497 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,473 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,570
2025 BLS Actual
$76,920
2026 Current Est.
$78,497
2019–2027 Growth
+24.1%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Longview (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,497 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,106 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Longview metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 19.1% from $64,570 (2019) to $76,920 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,106 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,536 (24.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Longview 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) | $63,606 – $64,256 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,256 – $78,497 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,497 – $98,069 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,069 – $112,760 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Longview
The local job market for school counselors in Longview sees approximately 90 professionals currently employed in this capacity. This number signifies a strong presence in the region, maintaining a competitive edge in the realm of K-12 education settings. Factoring in the area's cost-of-living index of 97.545 indicates that while salaries seem robust, actual purchasing power may be slightly below the national average, impacting take-home pay. Employers in Longview, including public K-12 school districts, typically adhere to the established pay scales based on a combination of experience, educational attainment, and specific district funding circumstances. The variety in earnings often results from the complexities of the step-and-lane scale, extended school year contracts, and stipends for additional responsibilities. To maximize compensation, aspiring school counselors should consider gaining seniority through additional advanced degrees or seeking leadership roles within their districts, capitalizing on the expanded mental health funding available post-COVID to improve student services throughout Longview.
More salary data for Longview, 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 $76,920 for school counselorsin the Longview 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