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School Counselor Salary in Portland, Oregon

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$79,680/ year

Median School Counselor in Portland, OR

$49,331
10th
$60,160
25th
$79,680
Median
$102,400
75th
$124,928
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$79,680
Total compensation (est.)
$91,632
Bonus range
$2,350 – $9,600
Mean salary
$84,461

How This Compares

Portland, OR median
$79,680
Oregon median
$63,495+25.5%
National median
$62,250+28.0%

Cost of living in Portland is 28% above the national average. Salary of $79,680 here is equivalent to $62,250 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$57,370-28.0%
3-5 years
$72,509-9.0%
6-10 years
$89,242+12.0%
10+ years
$109,958+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$70,118-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$79,680
Enterprise (5,000+)
$94,022+18.0%

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School Counselor Salaries in Nearby Cities

Salem, OR$62,250/yr
Eugene, OR$62,250/yr
Gresham, OR$62,250/yr
Hillsboro, OR$62,250/yr

Related Jobs in Portland

Elementary School Teacher$79,219/yr
High School Teacher$79,821/yr
Special Education Teacher$79,130/yr
University Professor$108,006/yr
Instructional Designer$99,827/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$38/hr
Monthly gross$6,640/mo
25th percentile$60,160/yr
75th percentile$102,400/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Oregon Unemployment

Dec 2025

5.2%

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

School Counselor Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average School Counselor salary in Portland?

The median School Counselor salary in Portland is $79,680 per year, with a range from $60,160 at the 25th percentile to $102,400 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does School Counselor pay in Portland compare to the national average?

School Counselor salaries in Portland are 28% above the national median of $62,250. After adjusting for Portland's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $62,250 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect School Counselor salaries in Portland?

In Portland, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level School Counselor roles start around $49,331, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $124,928 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Portland a good place for School Counselor jobs?

Portland offers a School Counselor median of $79,680, which is 28% above the US median of $62,250. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Portland is 28% more expensive than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher School Counselor salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for School Counselor in Portland is $102,400, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.