School Counselor Salary in Bethany, OK: $53,044 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Bethany, OK earns a median $53,044/year (≈ $25.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Bethany's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $59,667 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Oklahoma state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Bethany, OK, can expect a median annual salary of $53,044, which is notably lower than the national median of $64,335, reflecting a difference of 17.55%. The salary range for school counselors here spans from $38,050 at the 10th percentile to $82,218 at the 90th percentile. These figures are shaped by local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, incorporating considerations such as the cost of living in Bethany, which unfortunately is below the national average. The salary structure largely aligns with the step-and-lane system prevalent in K-12 education, indicating that educational qualifications such as a master's degree or additional credits can significantly influence pay.
About the Bethany Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,050 | $18.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,147 | $20.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,044 | $25.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,718 | $32.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,218 | $39.52 |
Median Salary Position
17.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bethany
In Bethany, OK, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,168 (2026 est.). At $53,044, the local median is 17.55% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bethany: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bethany School Counselor Pay Compares
Bethany median: $53,044/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bethany Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $56,071 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -17.55% less |
School Counselors in Bethany, OK earn a median of $53,044 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.55% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.40% below the Oklahoma state average of $56,071.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bethany has a cost of living 11.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bethany, OK has a cost-of-living index of 88.9 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $53,044 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,667 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,088
2025 BLS Actual
$51,978
2026 Current Est.
$53,044
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Bethany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,088 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,891 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,593 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,861 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,113 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,978 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,044 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,131 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bethany metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $46,088 (2019) to $51,978 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,131 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,043 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bethany 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) | $38,050 – $42,147 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,147 – $53,044 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,044 – $67,718 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,718 – $82,218 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Bethany
The job market for school counselors in Bethany appears stable, with five professionals currently employed. The cost of living index stands at 88.9, which suggests that day-to-day expenses are lower compared to many other regions. The strongest paying employers in the area are likely the K-12 public school districts, where the step-and-lane pay scale rewards experience and advanced degrees. Variances in compensation arise from factors such as years of service, educational attainment, and potential additional responsibilities like summer programs or leadership roles. To maximize earning potential in Bethany, school counselors should pursue advanced credentials, seek out positions that offer stipends for extra duties, and remain informed on district-level mental health initiatives, which may create opportunities for additional funding and resources.
More salary data for Bethany, 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
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 $51,978 for school counselorsin the Bethany 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 Bethany 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