School Counselor Pay

Biddeford vs Lewiston: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Biddeford, ME and Lewiston, ME. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Biddeford, ME
$59,414
$28.56/hr
Lewiston, ME
$59,505
$28.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBiddeford, MELewiston, ME
Median Salary$59,414$59,505
Hourly Rate$28.56$28.61
Entry Level (P10)$42,596$45,304
25th Percentile$47,190$48,844
75th Percentile$73,639$67,727
Top Earner (P90)$89,632$79,787
Total Employed6120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Biddeford ($59,414) and Lewiston ($59,505) school counselor salaries.BiddefordLewistonMedian Salary$59,414$59,505Entry Level (P10)$42,596$45,304Top Earner (P90)$89,632$79,787US Median $64,335

Verdict

Lewiston, ME offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Biddeford.

The salary gap between Biddeford and Lewiston is $91 (0.15%). Lewiston's median is -7.51% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Biddeford spans $47,036,Lewiston spans $34,483. Biddeford has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Biddeford
P10 (Entry)$42,596
P25$47,190
Median$59,414
P75$73,639
P90 (Top)$89,632
Lewiston
P10 (Entry)$45,304
P25$48,844
Median$59,505
P75$67,727
P90 (Top)$79,787

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lewiston ($62,811 effective) pays 5.30% more than Biddeford ($59,653 effective).

Biddeford
Nominal: $59,414
CoL Index: 99.6
Adjusted: $59,653
Lewiston
Nominal: $59,505
CoL Index: 94.736
Adjusted: $62,811

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Biddeford if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($89,632)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Choose Lewiston if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,505/year)
  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,811)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Biddeford grew -0.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 19.1% growth in Lewiston over the same period.

Biddeford, ME

+-0.4%

$58,425 (2024) → $58,220 (2025)

Lewiston, ME

+19.1%

$48,940 (2019) → $58,310 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Biddeford or Lewiston?

Lewiston has a higher median school counselor salary at $59,505/year, compared to Biddeford at $59,414/year — a difference of $91 (0.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Biddeford and Lewiston?

Biddeford school counselors earn $28.56/hr while Lewiston hygienists earn $28.61/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Biddeford to Lewiston as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Biddeford and Lewiston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Biddeford = $59,653, Lewiston = $62,811), job availability (6 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Biddeford vs Lewiston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $42,596 in Biddeford and $45,304 in Lewiston. The Lewiston 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