School Counselor Pay

School Counselor Salary in Clarksburg, WV: $53,686 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Clarksburg, WV earns a median $53,686/year (≈ $25.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Clarksburg's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.5), that paycheck buys what $62,065 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the West Virginia state average.

$53,686
Median Annual Salary
$25.81/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$41,246
Entry Level (P10)
$82,066
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

School Counselor Salary in Clarksburg, WV — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Clarksburg, WV school counselor salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, school counselors in Clarksburg, West Virginia, can expect a median annual salary of $53,686, which reflects a notable increase driven by the recent expansion of mental health funding in schools post-COVID. This salary is part of a wider range from $41,246 at the 10th percentile to $82,066 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential within the field. These figures are local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price parities. The demand for skilled school counselors has surged, as districts strive to meet the mental health needs of their students, highlighting the competitive landscape of employment in Clarksburg for aspiring counseling professionals.

With only four school counselors currently employed in the Clarksburg area, job competition can be modest, allowing those with advanced qualifications to command higher salaries within the local market. The cost-of-living index for Clarksburg is at 86.5, suggesting that living expenses are below national averages, which can enhance the purchasing power of school counselor salaries. Among the key employers in the region, K-12 public school districts typically provide the most competitive compensation, especially as the salary structure aligns with the established step-and-lane pay scale reflecting years of experience and educational achievements. To maximize earnings, prospective counselors should consider pursuing advanced qualifications beyond a master's degree, engage in summer programs, and explore stipend opportunities for additional roles. Understanding these factors will help individuals better navigate and assess how much do school counselors make in Clarksburg, ultimately benefiting their financial planning in the field.

About the Clarksburg Market

Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$41,246$19.83
Lower Range (P25)$44,645$21.46
Median (P50)(typical)$53,686$25.81
Upper Range (P75)$68,504$32.93
Top Earners (P90)$82,066$39.45

Median Salary Position

$41,246$82,066
City Median: $53,686
National: $64,335
P10–P90 Range

16.55% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clarksburg

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for school counselors in Clarksburg. The median salary is $53,686, compared to the national median of $64,335.$37.1K$49.4K$61.6K$73.9K$86.2K$41.2K10th Pctl$44.6K25th Pctl$53.7KMedian$68.5K75th Pctl$82.1K90th PctlUS Median$64.3K

In Clarksburg, WV, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,820 (2026 est.). At $53,686, the local median is 16.55% below the national median of $64,335.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of school counselor pay in the Clarksburg metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,032
per week
$4,473
per month
$53,682
per year

At 40 hours/week in Clarksburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Clarksburg School Counselor Pay Compares

Clarksburg median: $53,686/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryClarksburg Pays
West Virginia Average$57,914-7.30% less
National Average$64,335-16.55% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing school counselor median salary in Clarksburg ($53,686) with West Virginia average ($57,914) and the US national median ($64,335).Clarksburg$53,686West Virginia Avg$57,914-7.30%US National$64,335-16.55%

School Counselors in Clarksburg, WV earn a median of $53,686 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.55% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 7.30% below the West Virginia state average of $57,914.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$53,686
Nominal Salary
86.5
CoL Index
$62,065
Adjusted Salary

Clarksburg has a cost of living 13.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $53,686. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 86.5, the purchasing-power equivalent is $62,065, a gain of $8,379.$45.6K$52.7K$59.8K$66.9K$74.0K$53,686NominalSalary$62,065CoL Adjusted(CoL: 86.5) 15.61%US Median $64.3K

Clarksburg, WV has a cost-of-living index of 86.5 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $53,686 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,065 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.61% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$46,646

2025 BLS Actual

$52,608

2026 Current Est.

$53,686

2019–2027 Growth

+17.5%

Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Clarksburg (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for school counselors in Clarksburg. Baseline $46,646 in 2025, projected to $54,787 by 2027.$41.0K$45.0K$49.1K$53.1K$57.1K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$46.6K$47.5K$49.5K$49.2K$50.5K$43.3K$52.6K$53.7K$54.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$46,646Actual
2020$47,530Actual
2021$49,484Actual
2022$49,181Actual
2023$50,465Actual
2024$43,323Actual
2025$52,608Actual
2026(current)$53,686Estimated
2027$54,787Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clarksburg metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $46,646 (2019) to $52,608 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,787 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,141 (17.45%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clarksburg metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$41,246$44,645
3-5 years (Mid Career)$44,645$53,686
5+ years (Experienced)$53,686$68,504
10+ years (Top Earner)$68,504$82,066

SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do school counselors make in Clarksburg, WV in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median school counselor salary in Clarksburg is $53,686/year ($25.81/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.05% annual growth). Salaries range from $41,246 at entry level (10th percentile) to $82,066 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Clarksburg at 16.6% below the national median. Full-time school counselors typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Clarksburg, WV a good place to work as a school counselor?

Clarksburg school counselor salaries are 16.6% below the national average and 7.3% below the West Virginia state average. The metro area employs approximately 4 school counselors. With a cost-of-living index of 86.5, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can school counselors make $100K in Clarksburg?

The median school counselor salary in Clarksburg is $53,686, and the 90th percentile earns $82,066. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted school counselor salary in Clarksburg?

After adjusting for Clarksburg's cost-of-living index of 86.5 (where 100 equals the national average), the $53,686 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $62,065 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 15.6% further in Clarksburg compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for school counselors seeking strong real wages.

How much does a school counselor make per hour in Clarksburg?

School Counselors in Clarksburg earn a median hourly rate of $25.81, which translates to approximately $53,686/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $19.83 for entry-level positions to $39.45 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem school counselors sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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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

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 $52,608 for school counselorsin the Clarksburg 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 Clarksburg is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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