School Counselor Pay

Edmonds vs Spokane: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Edmonds, WA and Spokane, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Edmonds, WA
$80,543
$38.72/hr
Spokane, WA
$75,997
$36.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEdmonds, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$80,543$75,997
Hourly Rate$38.72$36.53
Entry Level (P10)$55,055$51,934
25th Percentile$67,215$61,306
75th Percentile$103,095$101,430
Top Earner (P90)$124,842$104,730
Total Employed8540
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Edmonds ($80,543) and Spokane ($75,997) school counselor salaries.EdmondsSpokaneMedian Salary$80,543$75,997Entry Level (P10)$55,055$51,934Top Earner (P90)$124,842$104,730US Median $64,335

Verdict

Edmonds, WA offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Spokane.

The salary gap between Edmonds and Spokane is $4,546 (5.98%). Edmonds's median is +25.19% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Edmonds spans $69,787,Spokane spans $52,796. Edmonds has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Edmonds
P10 (Entry)$55,055
P25$67,215
Median$80,543
P75$103,095
P90 (Top)$124,842
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$51,934
P25$61,306
Median$75,997
P75$101,430
P90 (Top)$104,730

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($75,735 effective) pays 0.99% more than Edmonds ($74,993 effective).

Edmonds
Nominal: $80,543
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $74,993
Spokane
Nominal: $75,997
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $75,735

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Edmonds if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,543/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($124,842)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • Larger job market (540 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,735)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Edmonds grew -2.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.8% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Edmonds, WA

+-2.8%

$81,236 (2024) → $78,925 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+8.8%

$68,450 (2019) → $74,470 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Edmonds or Spokane?

Edmonds has a higher median school counselor salary at $80,543/year, compared to Spokane at $75,997/year — a difference of $4,546 (5.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Edmonds and Spokane?

Edmonds school counselors earn $38.72/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $36.53/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Edmonds to Spokane as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Edmonds and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Edmonds = $74,993, Spokane = $75,735), job availability (8 vs 540 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Edmonds vs Spokane?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $55,055 in Edmonds and $51,934 in Spokane. The Edmonds area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

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.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, M.A.Data verified by Linda Chen, LPC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.05% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov