School Counselor Pay

Bridgeport vs Milford: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Bridgeport, CT
$76,686
$36.87/hr
Milford, CT
$72,273
$34.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBridgeport, CTMilford, CT
Median Salary$76,686$72,273
Hourly Rate$36.87$34.75
Entry Level (P10)$48,915$52,305
25th Percentile$62,006$58,354
75th Percentile$101,469$92,509
Top Earner (P90)$121,931$112,023
Total Employed8109
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bridgeport ($76,686) and Milford ($72,273) school counselor salaries.BridgeportMilfordMedian Salary$76,686$72,273Entry Level (P10)$48,915$52,305Top Earner (P90)$121,931$112,023US Median $64,335

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Bridgeport and Milford is $4,413 (6.11%). 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,Milford spans $59,718. 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
Milford
P10 (Entry)$52,305
P25$58,354
Median$72,273
P75$92,509
P90 (Top)$112,023

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bridgeport ($71,760 effective) pays 7.13% more than Milford ($66,981 effective).

Bridgeport
Nominal: $76,686
CoL Index: 106.864
Adjusted: $71,760
Milford
Nominal: $72,273
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $66,981

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 Milford 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 -13.9% growth in Milford over the same period.

Bridgeport, CT

+36.7%

$54,990 (2019) → $75,146 (2025)

Milford, CT

+-13.9%

$82,291 (2024) → $70,821 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Bridgeport or Milford?

Bridgeport has a higher median school counselor salary at $76,686/year, compared to Milford at $72,273/year — a difference of $4,413 (6.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bridgeport and Milford?

Bridgeport school counselors earn $36.87/hr while Milford hygienists earn $34.75/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bridgeport and Milford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bridgeport = $71,760, Milford = $66,981), job availability (810 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $48,915 in Bridgeport and $52,305 in Milford. The Milford 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