School Counselor Pay

Baltimore vs Salisbury: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Baltimore, MD
$74,747
$35.93/hr
Salisbury, MD
$60,866
$29.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDSalisbury, MD
Median Salary$74,747$60,866
Hourly Rate$35.93$29.26
Entry Level (P10)$48,204$46,964
25th Percentile$61,035$55,545
75th Percentile$96,749$83,897
Top Earner (P90)$106,330$101,909
Total Employed3,100170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($74,747) and Salisbury ($60,866) school counselor salaries.BaltimoreSalisburyMedian Salary$74,747$60,866Entry Level (P10)$48,204$46,964Top Earner (P90)$106,330$101,909US Median $64,335

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Baltimore and Salisbury is $13,881 (22.81%). Baltimore's median is +16.18% 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,Salisbury spans $54,945. Baltimore has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Baltimore
P10 (Entry)$48,204
P25$61,035
Median$74,747
P75$96,749
P90 (Top)$106,330
Salisbury
P10 (Entry)$46,964
P25$55,545
Median$60,866
P75$83,897
P90 (Top)$101,909

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Baltimore ($71,537 effective) pays 12.38% more than Salisbury ($63,656 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $74,747
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $71,537
Salisbury
Nominal: $60,866
CoL Index: 95.617
Adjusted: $63,656

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baltimore if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,747/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($106,330)
  • Larger job market (3,100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,537)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Salisbury if…

  • 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 -10.1% growth in Salisbury over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+15.1%

$63,650 (2019) → $73,245 (2025)

Salisbury, MD

+-10.1%

$66,340 (2019) → $59,643 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Baltimore or Salisbury?

Baltimore has a higher median school counselor salary at $74,747/year, compared to Salisbury at $60,866/year — a difference of $13,881 (22.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Salisbury?

Baltimore school counselors earn $35.93/hr while Salisbury hygienists earn $29.26/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baltimore to Salisbury as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Salisbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $71,537, Salisbury = $63,656), job availability (3,100 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $48,204 in Baltimore and $46,964 in Salisbury. 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