School Counselor Pay

Beloit vs Madison: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Beloit, WI and Madison, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Beloit, WI
$65,244
$31.37/hr
Madison, WI
$67,516
$32.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBeloit, WIMadison, WI
Median Salary$65,244$67,516
Hourly Rate$31.37$32.46
Entry Level (P10)$44,804$51,115
25th Percentile$54,651$60,466
75th Percentile$81,868$82,268
Top Earner (P90)$100,869$99,969
Total Employed5910
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Beloit ($65,244) and Madison ($67,516) school counselor salaries.BeloitMadisonMedian Salary$65,244$67,516Entry Level (P10)$44,804$51,115Top Earner (P90)$100,869$99,969US Median $64,335

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Beloit.

The salary gap between Beloit and Madison is $2,272 (3.48%). Madison's median is +4.94% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Beloit spans $56,065,Madison spans $48,854. Beloit has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Beloit
P10 (Entry)$44,804
P25$54,651
Median$65,244
P75$81,868
P90 (Top)$100,869
Madison
P10 (Entry)$51,115
P25$60,466
Median$67,516
P75$82,268
P90 (Top)$99,969

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Beloit ($69,854 effective) pays 0.66% more than Madison ($69,399 effective).

Beloit
Nominal: $65,244
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $69,854
Madison
Nominal: $67,516
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $69,399

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Beloit if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($100,869)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,854)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,516/year)
  • Larger job market (910 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Beloit grew 10.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 26.7% growth in Madison over the same period.

Beloit, WI

+10.0%

$58,115 (2024) → $63,933 (2025)

Madison, WI

+26.7%

$52,220 (2019) → $66,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Beloit or Madison?

Madison has a higher median school counselor salary at $67,516/year, compared to Beloit at $65,244/year — a difference of $2,272 (3.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Beloit and Madison?

Beloit school counselors earn $31.37/hr while Madison hygienists earn $32.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Beloit to Madison as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Beloit and Madison. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Beloit = $69,854, Madison = $69,399), job availability (5 vs 910 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Beloit vs Madison?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $44,804 in Beloit and $51,115 in Madison. The Madison area offers higher starting salaries.
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