Entry-Level School Counselor Salary in Moore, OK: $37,857 (2026)
Quick Answer:New school counselors entering the Moore, OK job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $37,857 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 21-1012, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Moore's local price level (BEA RPP 88.9 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $42,584 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($56,047) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduates entering the school counseling field in Moore, Oklahoma, can expect a starting school counselor salary of around $37,857 for 2026, reflecting the P10 salary level. This is considerably below the city's median annual salary of $56,047, illustrating a notable gap between entry pay and median earnings. However, with a steady growth trajectory, new counselors can anticipate moving up to approximately $43,397 within the first few years of their careers, eventually reaching the median as they gain experience and establish themselves in the role. Given the current job growth rate of 2.05% annually, the market for new professionals in Moore appears favorable, particularly with increased demand for school counselors following the expansion of mental health funding post-COVID.
About the Moore Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Moore
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moore
Entry-level school counselors in Moore, OK typically start between $37,857 and $43,397 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $49,016 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $56,047 — 12.88% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average school counseling program cost in Oklahoma of $32,000 represents just 84.53% of the starting school counselor pay ($37,857/year) in Moore. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CACREP-accredited master's programs in school counseling. In-state public institutions are the lowest-cost option; private universities carry higher tuition. Totals reflect tuition and required fees; practicum and internship hours are typically unpaid and add opportunity cost. State licensure requirements may mandate additional coursework.
SC, LSC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Moore
- 1Research the Moore market: entry-level school counselor pay ranges from $37,857 to $43,397, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the school counseling field — employers in OK often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Moore, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Moore for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Moore's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
School Counselor Compensation Range
The school counselor wage spread in Moore is $49,016 ( 129.48%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $37,857, experienced hygienists can earn up to $86,873.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$28,330
2025 BLS Actual
$37,097
2026 Current Est.
$37,857
2019–2027 Growth
+36.4%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Moore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,351 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,942 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,543 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,076 | Actual |
| 2024 | $32,091 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,097 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,857 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,634 | Projected |
Entry-level school counselor compensation (10th percentile) in Moore, OK grew 30.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $28,330 in 2019 to $37,097 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $38,634. New graduates entering the Moore job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moore 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.
Starting Your school counseling Career in Moore
Specific employers in Moore that typically hire new graduate school counselors include public school districts, which adhere to a step-and-lane pay structure based on education and experience. These positions often provide benefits that include tenure opportunities, but charter schools also present options that may offer competitive base salaries without the same benefit of tenure. To enhance their starting pay, prospective counselors in Oklahoma should ensure they have earned a master's degree in school counseling from a CACREP-accredited program, obtained state certification, and completed any required exams, such as the Praxis. Building a solid foundation through an internship is crucial, as most districts recognize supervised hours as a significant part of the entry-level hiring process. With ASCA suggesting an ideal counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250 versus the national average of 1:385, the potential for career advancement and salary growth in the initial years is promising, particularly as districts look to address the mental health needs of students.
More salary data for Moore, OK:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new school counseling graduates. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Moore. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Moore 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