School Counselor Salary in Westerville, OH: $60,185 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Westerville, OH earns a median $60,185/year (≈ $28.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Westerville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $66,356 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Westerville, Ohio, school counselors earn a projected median annual salary of $60,185 for 2026, positioning them slightly below the national median of $64,335. The salary range varies significantly, falling between $42,878 at the 10th percentile and reaching $92,814 at the 90th percentile. This disparity in earnings reflects varying experience levels, the potential for additional stipends, and the specific educational qualifications among counselors. The local compensation estimates draw from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price differentials, which highlights the importance of understanding local economic conditions. With an eye on the ASCA's recommended 1:250 counselor-to-student ratio, Westerville’s current ratio could point to both opportunities for expansion in counseling staff as mental health needs grow post-pandemic and a competitive job market moving forward.
About the Westerville Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,878 | $20.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,844 | $23.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,185 | $28.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,241 | $36.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,814 | $44.63 |
Median Salary Position
6.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Westerville
In Westerville, OH, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,936 (2026 est.). At $60,185, the local median is 6.45% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Westerville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Westerville School Counselor Pay Compares
Westerville median: $60,185/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Westerville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $60,978 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -6.45% less |
School Counselors in Westerville, OH earn a median of $60,185 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.45% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.30% below the Ohio state average of $60,978.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Westerville has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Westerville, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $60,185 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,356 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,293
2025 BLS Actual
$58,976
2026 Current Est.
$60,185
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Westerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,293 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,283 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,474 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,135 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,574 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,277 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,976 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,185 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,419 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Westerville metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $52,293 (2019) to $58,976 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,419 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,126 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Westerville 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) | $42,878 – $47,844 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,844 – $60,185 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,185 – $75,241 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,241 – $92,814 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Westerville
Examining the local job market, there are currently eight school counselors employed in Westerville, which suggests a stable but limited demand for new hires in this profession. The cost of living index stands at 90.7, indicating a below-average living expense that enhances the purchasing power of salaries within this range. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive compensation, following structured pay scales based on experience and education. Variations in school counselor pay in Westerville can be attributed to factors such as step-and-lane salary schedules, advanced degrees, and additional roles like department heads or club advisors earning stipends. To maximize earning potential, counselors can pursue further education and engage in summer programs or extended contracts, thus increasing their value in a competitive market that seeks to enhance student mental health services.
More salary data for Westerville, OH:
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 $58,976 for school counselorsin the Westerville 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 Westerville 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