School Counselor Pay

Boca Raton vs Orlando: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Boca Raton, FL and Orlando, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boca Raton, FL
$57,469
$27.62/hr
Orlando, FL
$48,844
$23.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoca Raton, FLOrlando, FL
Median Salary$57,469$48,844
Hourly Rate$27.62$23.48
Entry Level (P10)$38,840$36,053
25th Percentile$44,338$44,884
75th Percentile$73,550$60,435
Top Earner (P90)$89,077$72,286
Total Employed173,620
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boca Raton ($57,469) and Orlando ($48,844) school counselor salaries.Boca RatonOrlandoMedian Salary$57,469$48,844Entry Level (P10)$38,840$36,053Top Earner (P90)$89,077$72,286US Median $64,335

Verdict

Boca Raton, FL offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Orlando.

The salary gap between Boca Raton and Orlando is $8,625 (17.66%). Boca Raton's median is -10.67% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boca Raton spans $50,237,Orlando spans $36,233. Boca Raton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boca Raton
P10 (Entry)$38,840
P25$44,338
Median$57,469
P75$73,550
P90 (Top)$89,077
Orlando
P10 (Entry)$36,053
P25$44,884
Median$48,844
P75$60,435
P90 (Top)$72,286

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boca Raton ($57,013 effective) pays 18.38% more than Orlando ($48,161 effective).

Boca Raton
Nominal: $57,469
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $57,013
Orlando
Nominal: $48,844
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $48,161

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boca Raton if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,469/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($89,077)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,013)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Orlando if…

  • Larger job market (3,620 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Boca Raton grew -6.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 1.7% growth in Orlando over the same period.

Boca Raton, FL

+-6.7%

$60,337 (2024) → $56,315 (2025)

Orlando, FL

+1.7%

$47,070 (2019) → $47,863 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Boca Raton or Orlando?

Boca Raton has a higher median school counselor salary at $57,469/year, compared to Orlando at $48,844/year — a difference of $8,625 (17.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boca Raton and Orlando?

Boca Raton school counselors earn $27.62/hr while Orlando hygienists earn $23.48/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boca Raton to Orlando as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boca Raton and Orlando. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boca Raton = $57,013, Orlando = $48,161), job availability (17 vs 3,620 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Boca Raton vs Orlando?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $38,840 in Boca Raton and $36,053 in Orlando. The Boca Raton 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