School Counselor Salary in Oak Creek, WI: $59,191 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Oak Creek, WI earns a median $59,191/year (≈ $28.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Oak Creek's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $63,374 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

The significant expansion of mental health funding post-COVID has influenced hiring dynamics for school counselors in Oak Creek, WI. Projected for 2026, the median annual salary stands at $59,191, which falls below the national median of $64,335 by 8%. The salary range within the city extends from $44,194 at the 10th percentile to a high of $91,746 at the 90th percentile, reflecting various experience levels and qualifications. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for local cost of living factors, indicate a growing recognition of the need for mental health support in schools. As Oak Creek emphasizes enhancing student support, competition for skilled counselors will likely increase, reflecting both societal needs and job market trends.
About the Oak Creek Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,194 | $21.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,548 | $23.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,191 | $28.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,765 | $36.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,746 | $44.11 |
Median Salary Position
8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Creek
In Oak Creek, WI, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,552 (2026 est.). At $59,191, the local median is 8% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Creek: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Creek School Counselor Pay Compares
Oak Creek median: $59,191/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Creek Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,786 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -8.00% less |
School Counselors in Oak Creek, WI earn a median of $59,191 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.00% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,786.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Creek has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oak Creek, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $59,191 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,374 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,429
2025 BLS Actual
$58,002
2026 Current Est.
$59,191
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Oak Creek (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,429 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,403 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,558 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,224 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,285 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,002 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,191 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,404 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Creek metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $51,429 (2019) to $58,002 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,404 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,975 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Creek 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) | $44,194 – $48,548 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,548 – $59,191 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,191 – $75,765 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,765 – $91,746 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Oak Creek
In Oak Creek, the local job market currently employs five school counselors, fostering a competitive environment within the region. The cost of living index stands at 93.4, suggesting that the purchasing power for school counselor salaries, while lower than the national average, can still afford a comfortable lifestyle. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the highest salaries, following a step-and-lane pay structure similar to teachers, where compensation increases based on both experience and educational levels, including master's degrees and beyond. To maximize pay, aspiring counselors should focus on obtaining advanced certifications and consider taking on additional roles such as department heads or club advisors, which often provide stipends. This strategy, coupled with an understanding of the local K-12 pay dynamics, can enhance their earning potential in Oak Creek.
More salary data for Oak Creek, WI:
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 $58,002 for school counselorsin the Oak Creek 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 Oak Creek 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