Ohio School Counselor Salary Guide - 2026

School Counselor Certification

by School Counselor Certification Staff

Updated: September 30th, 2026

School counselors in Ohio typically earn a salary that is considered competitive within the state’s education sector – median salary of $80,185 (Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2025) and projected to grow 1.9% from 2024 to 2034. However, it’s important to note that specific salaries can vary depending on factors like experience, education level, location within Ohio, and the type of school (e.g., public, private, district size).

While the average salary may be reasonable, it’s essential to consider the overall cost of living in different regions of Ohio. In areas with a higher cost of living, the salary might not be as substantial when factoring in expenses like housing, transportation, and utilities.

Additionally, the role of a school counselor often involves long hours, a heavy workload, and significant emotional demands. Therefore, it’s important to weigh the salary against the job’s responsibilities and potential challenges.

Ohio School Counselor Salaries – Visualized

School Counselors Salaries in urban areas of Ohio

Metro Area# EmployedMean Salary
Akron, OH870$82,547
Canton-Massillon, OH370$81,378
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN2,470$79,743
Columbus, OH2,440$84,420
Lima, OH140$76,390
Mansfield, OH130$75,686
Springfield, OH140$72,846
Toledo, OH940$76,080
Youngstown-Warren, OH350$77,166
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2025

School Counselors Salaries in rural areas of Ohio

Metro Area# EmployedMean Salary
West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area480$79,612
North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous)500$81,748
Eastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area250$79,039
Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area700$80,340
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2025