School Counselor Salary in Redmond, WA: $82,980 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Redmond, WA earns a median $82,980/year (≈ $39.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Redmond's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $77,263 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Redmond, Washington, are expected to earn a median salary of $82,980 annually, significantly higher than the national median of $64,335, reflecting a robust local education sector. The salary range for this occupation in Redmond spans from $56,272 at the 10th percentile to $128,619 at the 90th percentile. Such compensation figures are adjusted for the regional cost of living, which is above the national average, providing local counselors with additional purchasing power. The current school counselor-to-student ratio in many districts deviates from the recommended 1:250 ratio set by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), with implications for counselor workload and effectiveness in supporting students’ mental health and academic success.
About the Redmond Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,272 | $27.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,163 | $30.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,980 | $39.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,526 | $50.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,619 | $61.83 |
Median Salary Position
28.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Redmond
In Redmond, WA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,347 (2026 est.). At $82,980, the local median is 28.98% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Redmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Redmond School Counselor Pay Compares
Redmond median: $82,980/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Redmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $83,063 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +28.98% more |
School Counselors in Redmond, WA earn a median of $82,980 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.98% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.10% below the Washington state average of $83,063.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Redmond has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Redmond, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,980 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,263 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,098
2025 BLS Actual
$81,313
2026 Current Est.
$82,980
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Redmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,098 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,464 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,485 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,017 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,001 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,694 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,313 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,980 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,681 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Redmond metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $72,098 (2019) to $81,313 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,681 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,583 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Redmond 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) | $56,272 – $64,163 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,163 – $82,980 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,980 – $104,526 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,526 – $128,619 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Redmond
Exploring the job market in Redmond reveals a concentrated workforce of 14 school counselors, indicative of a competitive field influenced by a cost-of-living index of 107.4. This elevated index means counselors must navigate living expenses that are above the national average, likely affecting their take-home pay. Employers in the K-12 public school districts, particularly within the area, dominate salary offerings, often structured by a step-and-lane pay scale that rewards years of experience and advanced education levels. Variations in compensation arise from multiple factors, including the increased demand post-COVID for mental health support, district-specific salary schedules, and opportunities for stipends related to leadership roles. For those looking to enhance their earning potential in Redmond, gaining additional qualifications or seeking positions with high-demand contract roles could serve as strategic pathways to maximize school counselor pay in this evolving market.
More salary data for Redmond, 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 $81,313 for school counselorsin the Redmond 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 Redmond 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