School Counselor Pay

Baltimore vs Lexington Park: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Baltimore, MD and Lexington Park, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baltimore, MD
$74,747
$35.93/hr
Lexington Park, MD
$76,736
$36.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDLexington Park, MD
Median Salary$74,747$76,736
Hourly Rate$35.93$36.89
Entry Level (P10)$48,204$40,714
25th Percentile$61,035$57,545
75th Percentile$96,749$95,288
Top Earner (P90)$106,330$108,430
Total Employed3,100170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($74,747) and Lexington Park ($76,736) school counselor salaries.BaltimoreLexington ParkMedian Salary$74,747$76,736Entry Level (P10)$48,204$40,714Top Earner (P90)$106,330$108,430US Median $64,335

Verdict

Lexington Park, MD offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Baltimore.

The salary gap between Baltimore and Lexington Park is $1,989 (2.66%). Lexington Park's median is +19.28% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baltimore spans $58,126,Lexington Park spans $67,716. Lexington Park has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Baltimore
P10 (Entry)$48,204
P25$61,035
Median$74,747
P75$96,749
P90 (Top)$106,330
Lexington Park
P10 (Entry)$40,714
P25$57,545
Median$76,736
P75$95,288
P90 (Top)$108,430

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lexington Park ($76,157 effective) pays 6.46% more than Baltimore ($71,537 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $74,747
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $71,537
Lexington Park
Nominal: $76,736
CoL Index: 100.76
Adjusted: $76,157

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baltimore if…

  • Larger job market (3,100 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Lexington Park if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,736/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($108,430)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,157)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Baltimore grew 15.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.3% growth in Lexington Park over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+15.1%

$63,650 (2019) → $73,245 (2025)

Lexington Park, MD

+2.3%

$73,470 (2024) → $75,195 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Baltimore or Lexington Park?

Lexington Park has a higher median school counselor salary at $76,736/year, compared to Baltimore at $74,747/year — a difference of $1,989 (2.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Lexington Park?

Baltimore school counselors earn $35.93/hr while Lexington Park hygienists earn $36.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baltimore to Lexington Park as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Lexington Park. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $71,537, Lexington Park = $76,157), job availability (3,100 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Baltimore vs Lexington Park?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $48,204 in Baltimore and $40,714 in Lexington Park. The Baltimore area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.05% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov