School Counselor Salary in Wenatchee, WA: $82,307 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Wenatchee, WA earns a median $82,307/year (≈ $39.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Wenatchee's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.9), that paycheck buys what $79,252 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wenatchee, Washington, school counselor salaries exhibit strong earning potential, with a median annual salary projected at $82,307 in 2026, significantly exceeding the national figure of $64,335. The range of salaries for this profession varies widely, with the lowest 10% earning around $58,576 and the highest 90% making up to $104,130. These figures derive from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and reflect not only the educational qualifications required but also the current demand for school counselors in the area. With a focus on step-and-lane pay scales prevalent across most school districts, those holding a master's degree versus a master's +30 have the potential to command differing placements on the salary schedule. This provides important context for understanding the job market in Wenatchee and the professional opportunities available for counselors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,576 | $28.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,356 | $32.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,307 | $39.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,339 | $49.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,130 | $50.07 |
Median Salary Position
27.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wenatchee
In Wenatchee, WA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,554 (2026 est.). At $82,307, the local median is 27.94% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wenatchee: You'd be above the median
How Wenatchee School Counselor Pay Compares
Wenatchee median: $82,307/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wenatchee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $83,055 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +27.94% more |
School Counselors in Wenatchee, WA earn a median of $82,307 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.94% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $83,055.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wenatchee has a cost of living 3.86% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wenatchee, WA has a cost-of-living index of 103.855 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,307 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $79,252 — a 3.71% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$69,100
2025 BLS Actual
$80,654
2026 Current Est.
$82,307
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Wenatchee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,700 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,654 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,307 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,995 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wenatchee metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 16.7% from $69,100 (2019) to $80,654 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,995 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,895 (21.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wenatchee 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) | $58,576 – $67,356 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,356 – $82,307 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,307 – $102,339 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,339 – $104,130 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Wenatchee
The job market for school counselors in Wenatchee is promising, with approximately 80 professionals currently employed in the area. Given a cost of living index of 103.855, counselors must consider how this may affect their take-home pay and purchasing power. Salaries can differ significantly across employers, with K-12 public school districts generally offering the highest pay. Variability in compensation often stems from the step-and-lane structure of pay, where experience and educational levels dictate salary placements. Additionally, extended contracts for summer programs or stipends for leadership roles can boost overall earnings. To maximize income, school counselors in Wenatchee WA should consider continuing education and specialization, which can lead to higher pay placement within the district’s scale. Engaging actively in mental health initiatives funded by post-COVID resources can also serve as a pathway to greater employment stability and potential compensation growth, aligning with the ASCA’s recommendation for high counselor-to-student ratios.
More salary data for Wenatchee, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Wenatchee, WA in 2026?
Is Wenatchee, WA a good place to work as a school counselor?
Can school counselors make $100K in Wenatchee?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted school counselor salary in Wenatchee?
How much does a school counselor make per hour in Wenatchee?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $80,654 for school counselorsin the Wenatchee 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