School Counselor Pay

Bridgeport vs Danbury: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Bridgeport, CT and Danbury, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bridgeport, CT
$76,686
$36.87/hr
Danbury, CT
$75,082
$36.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBridgeport, CTDanbury, CT
Median Salary$76,686$75,082
Hourly Rate$36.87$36.10
Entry Level (P10)$48,915$53,002
25th Percentile$62,006$59,851
75th Percentile$101,469$96,106
Top Earner (P90)$121,931$116,378
Total Employed81012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bridgeport ($76,686) and Danbury ($75,082) school counselor salaries.BridgeportDanburyMedian Salary$76,686$75,082Entry Level (P10)$48,915$53,002Top Earner (P90)$121,931$116,378US Median $64,335

Verdict

Bridgeport, CT offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Danbury.

The salary gap between Bridgeport and Danbury is $1,604 (2.14%). Bridgeport's median is +19.20% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bridgeport spans $73,016,Danbury spans $63,376. Bridgeport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bridgeport
P10 (Entry)$48,915
P25$62,006
Median$76,686
P75$101,469
P90 (Top)$121,931
Danbury
P10 (Entry)$53,002
P25$59,851
Median$75,082
P75$96,106
P90 (Top)$116,378

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bridgeport ($71,760 effective) pays 3.13% more than Danbury ($69,585 effective).

Bridgeport
Nominal: $76,686
CoL Index: 106.864
Adjusted: $71,760
Danbury
Nominal: $75,082
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $69,585

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bridgeport if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,686/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($121,931)
  • Larger job market (810 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,760)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Danbury if…

  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Bridgeport grew 36.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.1% growth in Danbury over the same period.

Bridgeport, CT

+36.7%

$54,990 (2019) → $75,146 (2025)

Danbury, CT

+2.1%

$72,040 (2019) → $73,574 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Bridgeport or Danbury?

Bridgeport has a higher median school counselor salary at $76,686/year, compared to Danbury at $75,082/year — a difference of $1,604 (2.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bridgeport and Danbury?

Bridgeport school counselors earn $36.87/hr while Danbury hygienists earn $36.10/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bridgeport to Danbury as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bridgeport and Danbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bridgeport = $71,760, Danbury = $69,585), job availability (810 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Bridgeport vs Danbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $48,915 in Bridgeport and $53,002 in Danbury. The Danbury 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