School Counselor Pay

Boulder vs Evans: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Boulder, CO and Evans, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boulder, CO
$75,036
$36.07/hr
Evans, CO
$58,017
$27.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoulder, COEvans, CO
Median Salary$75,036$58,017
Hourly Rate$36.07$27.89
Entry Level (P10)$50,944$44,178
25th Percentile$60,935$48,143
75th Percentile$97,179$73,847
Top Earner (P90)$103,799$89,927
Total Employed5305
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boulder ($75,036) and Evans ($58,017) school counselor salaries.BoulderEvansMedian Salary$75,036$58,017Entry Level (P10)$50,944$44,178Top Earner (P90)$103,799$89,927US Median $64,335

Verdict

Boulder, CO offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Evans.

The salary gap between Boulder and Evans is $17,019 (29.33%). Boulder's median is +16.63% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boulder spans $52,855,Evans spans $45,749. Boulder has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boulder
P10 (Entry)$50,944
P25$60,935
Median$75,036
P75$97,179
P90 (Top)$103,799
Evans
P10 (Entry)$44,178
P25$48,143
Median$58,017
P75$73,847
P90 (Top)$89,927

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boulder ($71,326 effective) pays 29.09% more than Evans ($55,254 effective).

Boulder
Nominal: $75,036
CoL Index: 105.202
Adjusted: $71,326
Evans
Nominal: $58,017
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $55,254

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boulder if…

  • Higher median salary ($75,036/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($103,799)
  • Larger job market (530 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,326)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Evans if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Boulder grew 29.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -16.5% growth in Evans over the same period.

Boulder, CO

+29.9%

$56,610 (2019) → $73,529 (2025)

Evans, CO

+-16.5%

$68,070 (2024) → $56,852 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Boulder or Evans?

Boulder has a higher median school counselor salary at $75,036/year, compared to Evans at $58,017/year — a difference of $17,019 (29.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boulder and Evans?

Boulder school counselors earn $36.07/hr while Evans hygienists earn $27.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boulder to Evans as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boulder and Evans. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boulder = $71,326, Evans = $55,254), job availability (530 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Boulder vs Evans?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $50,944 in Boulder and $44,178 in Evans. The Boulder 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