School Counselor Pay

Buffalo vs Glens Falls: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Buffalo, NY and Glens Falls, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Buffalo, NY
$62,006
$29.81/hr
Glens Falls, NY
$62,226
$29.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBuffalo, NYGlens Falls, NY
Median Salary$62,006$62,226
Hourly Rate$29.81$29.91
Entry Level (P10)$43,944$47,744
25th Percentile$50,334$52,884
75th Percentile$78,747$79,397
Top Earner (P90)$101,699$98,079
Total Employed1,530100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Buffalo ($62,006) and Glens Falls ($62,226) school counselor salaries.BuffaloGlens FallsMedian Salary$62,006$62,226Entry Level (P10)$43,944$47,744Top Earner (P90)$101,699$98,079US Median $64,335

Verdict

Buffalo and Glens Falls are closely matched on overall school counselor compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Buffalo and Glens Falls is $220 (0.35%). Glens Falls's median is -3.28% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Buffalo spans $57,755,Glens Falls spans $50,335. Buffalo has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Buffalo
P10 (Entry)$43,944
P25$50,334
Median$62,006
P75$78,747
P90 (Top)$101,699
Glens Falls
P10 (Entry)$47,744
P25$52,884
Median$62,226
P75$79,397
P90 (Top)$98,079

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Glens Falls ($65,594 effective) pays 1.39% more than Buffalo ($64,695 effective).

Buffalo
Nominal: $62,006
CoL Index: 95.844
Adjusted: $64,695
Glens Falls
Nominal: $62,226
CoL Index: 94.866
Adjusted: $65,594

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Buffalo if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($101,699)
  • Larger job market (1,530 employed)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Glens Falls if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,226/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,594)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Buffalo grew 5.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -11.7% growth in Glens Falls over the same period.

Buffalo, NY

+5.7%

$57,460 (2019) → $60,760 (2025)

Glens Falls, NY

+-11.7%

$69,050 (2019) → $60,976 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Buffalo or Glens Falls?

Glens Falls has a higher median school counselor salary at $62,226/year, compared to Buffalo at $62,006/year — a difference of $220 (0.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Buffalo and Glens Falls?

Buffalo school counselors earn $29.81/hr while Glens Falls hygienists earn $29.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Buffalo to Glens Falls as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Buffalo and Glens Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Buffalo = $64,695, Glens Falls = $65,594), job availability (1,530 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Buffalo vs Glens Falls?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $43,944 in Buffalo and $47,744 in Glens Falls. The Glens Falls 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