School Counselor Salary in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $60,256 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Wilkes-Barre, PA earns a median $60,256/year (≈ $28.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Wilkes-Barre's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $61,864 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the expected salary for school counselors in Wilkes-Barre, PA is projected at $60,256, reflecting a slight decrease compared to the national median salary of $64,335. With a salary range spanning from $42,405 at the 10th percentile to $93,397 at the 90th percentile, these figures highlight significant pay disparities dependent on experience and educational attainment. The data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates adjusted for local cost factors, points to the necessity for well-structured support systems in schools, as the current school counselor-to-student ratio in the area suggests a need for more professionals to align with the ASCA recommended benchmark of 1:250. The local job market is defined by a small cohort of eleven school counselors, which indicates a relatively stable yet competitive environment despite the challenges presented by ongoing mental health initiatives and hiring expansions in response to the post-COVID landscape.
About the Wilkes-Barre Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,405 | $20.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,701 | $22.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,256 | $28.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,435 | $36.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,397 | $44.90 |
Median Salary Position
6.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilkes-Barre
In Wilkes-Barre, PA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,992 (2026 est.). At $60,256, the local median is 6.34% below the national median of $64,335.
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At 40 hours/week in Wilkes-Barre: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilkes-Barre School Counselor Pay Compares
Wilkes-Barre median: $60,256/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilkes-Barre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $61,236 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -6.34% less |
School Counselors in Wilkes-Barre, PA earn a median of $60,256 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.34% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $61,236.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilkes-Barre has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilkes-Barre, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $60,256 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,864 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,355
2025 BLS Actual
$59,046
2026 Current Est.
$60,256
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Wilkes-Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,355 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,346 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,641 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,095 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,046 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,256 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,492 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $52,355 (2019) to $59,046 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,492 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,137 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilkes-Barre 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) | $42,405 – $47,701 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,701 – $60,256 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,256 – $76,435 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,435 – $93,397 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Wilkes-Barre
Focusing on the job market dynamics, school counselor salaries in Wilkes-Barre reflect the broader economic context, marked by a cost-of-living index of 97.4, suggesting that living expenses are below the national average. Despite the lower median salary locally, opportunities exist within K-12 public school districts that may offer competitive pay through a step-and-lane compensation structure akin to teacher salaries. The spread in school counselor pay here is largely driven by factors such as years of experience, advanced degrees, and additional roles such as department heads or club advisors, which can significantly boost earnings. Those seeking to maximize their pay should consider continuing education or pursuing roles that involve summer programs and extended school contracts, especially in the growing post-COVID landscape where mental health funding has enhanced the demand for experienced counselors. Exploring avenues for professional development and strategic positioning within the local educational institutions could lead to better compensation outcomes in Wilkes-Barre, addressing both individual financial goals and the critical need for effective counseling services in schools.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, PA:
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 $59,046 for school counselorsin the Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre 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