School Counselor Pay

Baltimore vs Severn: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Baltimore, MD
$74,747
$35.93/hr
Severn, MD
$67,402
$32.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDSevern, MD
Median Salary$74,747$67,402
Hourly Rate$35.93$32.40
Entry Level (P10)$48,204$48,745
25th Percentile$61,035$54,447
75th Percentile$96,749$86,274
Top Earner (P90)$106,330$104,473
Total Employed3,10012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($74,747) and Severn ($67,402) school counselor salaries.BaltimoreSevernMedian Salary$74,747$67,402Entry Level (P10)$48,204$48,745Top Earner (P90)$106,330$104,473US Median $64,335

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Baltimore and Severn is $7,345 (10.90%). 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,Severn spans $55,728. 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
Severn
P10 (Entry)$48,745
P25$54,447
Median$67,402
P75$86,274
P90 (Top)$104,473

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Baltimore ($71,537 effective) pays 16.01% more than Severn ($61,667 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $74,747
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $71,537
Severn
Nominal: $67,402
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $61,667

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 Severn 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 -20.8% growth in Severn over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+15.1%

$63,650 (2019) → $73,245 (2025)

Severn, MD

+-20.8%

$83,385 (2024) → $66,048 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Baltimore or Severn?

Baltimore has a higher median school counselor salary at $74,747/year, compared to Severn at $67,402/year — a difference of $7,345 (10.90%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Severn?

Baltimore school counselors earn $35.93/hr while Severn hygienists earn $32.40/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Severn. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $71,537, Severn = $61,667), job availability (3,100 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $48,204 in Baltimore and $48,745 in Severn. The Severn 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