School Counselor Salary in Mount Vernon, WA: $96,788 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Mount Vernon, WA earns a median $96,788/year (≈ $46.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Mount Vernon's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 102.4), that paycheck buys what $94,480 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.5% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Mount Vernon, Washington, can anticipate a median annual salary of $96,788, considerably exceeding the national median of $64,335. The salary range is notable, spanning from $61,005 at the 10th percentile to $129,332 at the 90th percentile, according to data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys. This favorable pay structure signals a positive job market, particularly given the actual counselor-to-student ratio challenges, which stand well above the American School Counselor Association's (ASCA) recommended ratio of 1:250. Coupling this with the port city’s growing focus on mental health support in schools adds an extra layer of confidence for those entering the counseling profession in Mount Vernon.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,005 | $29.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,005 | $29.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,788 | $46.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,351 | $60.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,332 | $62.19 |
Median Salary Position
50.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mount Vernon
In Mount Vernon, WA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,327 (2026 est.). At $96,788, the local median is 50.44% above the national median of $64,335.
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At 40 hours/week in Mount Vernon: You'd be above the median
How Mount Vernon School Counselor Pay Compares
Mount Vernon median: $96,788/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mount Vernon Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $83,080 | +16.50% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +50.44% more |
School Counselors in Mount Vernon, WA earn a median of $96,788 per year (2026 est.), which is 50.44% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 16.50% above the Washington state average of $83,080.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mount Vernon has a cost of living 2.44% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mount Vernon, WA has a cost-of-living index of 102.443 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $96,788 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $94,480 — a 2.38% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,940
2025 BLS Actual
$94,844
2026 Current Est.
$96,788
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Mount Vernon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,844 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,788 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,772 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mount Vernon metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 43.8% from $65,940 (2019) to $94,844 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,772 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,832 (49.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mount Vernon 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) | $61,005 – $61,005 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,005 – $96,788 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,788 – $125,351 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,351 – $129,332 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Mount Vernon
The job market for school counselors in Mount Vernon is robust, with 90 professionals currently working in the district. A cost of living index of 102.443 indicates that while the salaries are attractive, the purchasing power requires consideration of regional living expenses. Top-paying employers include K-12 public school districts, where pay scales often reflect experience and education levels as part of a step-and-lane structure. Factors influencing salary variations include years of service, additional degrees, and stipends for leadership positions. For counselors aiming to optimize their earnings, pursuing advanced certifications or administrative roles—alongside ongoing professional development—will be beneficial. Additionally, capitalizing on the increased mental health funding can place skilled counselors in demand, ultimately enhancing job prospects and salary potential in Mount Vernon.
More salary data for Mount Vernon, 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 $94,844 for school counselorsin the Mount Vernon 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