School Counselor Pay

Ellensburg vs Spokane: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Ellensburg, WA
$79,233
$38.10/hr
Spokane, WA
$75,997
$36.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEllensburg, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$79,233$75,997
Hourly Rate$38.10$36.53
Entry Level (P10)$57,927$51,934
25th Percentile$63,748$61,306
75th Percentile$98,970$101,430
Top Earner (P90)$120,769$104,730
Total Employed6540
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Ellensburg ($79,233) and Spokane ($75,997) school counselor salaries.EllensburgSpokaneMedian Salary$79,233$75,997Entry Level (P10)$57,927$51,934Top Earner (P90)$120,769$104,730US Median $64,335

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Ellensburg and Spokane is $3,236 (4.26%). Ellensburg's median is +23.16% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Ellensburg spans $62,842,Spokane spans $52,796. Ellensburg has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Ellensburg
P10 (Entry)$57,927
P25$63,748
Median$79,233
P75$98,970
P90 (Top)$120,769
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 2.66% more than Ellensburg ($73,774 effective).

Ellensburg
Nominal: $79,233
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $73,774
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 Ellensburg if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,233/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($120,769)
  • 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 Ellensburg grew -2.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.8% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Ellensburg, WA

+-2.8%

$79,914 (2024) → $77,641 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+8.8%

$68,450 (2019) → $74,470 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Ellensburg or Spokane?

Ellensburg has a higher median school counselor salary at $79,233/year, compared to Spokane at $75,997/year — a difference of $3,236 (4.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Ellensburg and Spokane?

Ellensburg school counselors earn $38.10/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $36.53/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Ellensburg and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Ellensburg = $73,774, Spokane = $75,735), job availability (6 vs 540 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $57,927 in Ellensburg and $51,934 in Spokane. The Ellensburg 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