School Counselor Pay

Centreville vs Charlottesville: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Centreville, VA and Charlottesville, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Centreville, VA
$62,970
$30.28/hr
Charlottesville, VA
$63,335
$30.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCentreville, VACharlottesville, VA
Median Salary$62,970$63,335
Hourly Rate$30.28$30.45
Entry Level (P10)$42,211$41,554
25th Percentile$50,722$54,515
75th Percentile$80,601$78,837
Top Earner (P90)$97,604$86,698
Total Employed14480
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Centreville ($62,970) and Charlottesville ($63,335) school counselor salaries.CentrevilleCharlottesvilleMedian Salary$62,970$63,335Entry Level (P10)$42,211$41,554Top Earner (P90)$97,604$86,698US Median $64,335

Verdict

Charlottesville, VA offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Centreville.

The salary gap between Centreville and Charlottesville is $365 (0.58%). Charlottesville's median is -1.55% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Centreville spans $55,393,Charlottesville spans $45,144. Centreville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Centreville
P10 (Entry)$42,211
P25$50,722
Median$62,970
P75$80,601
P90 (Top)$97,604
Charlottesville
P10 (Entry)$41,554
P25$54,515
Median$63,335
P75$78,837
P90 (Top)$86,698

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlottesville ($63,881 effective) pays 4.69% more than Centreville ($61,017 effective).

Centreville
Nominal: $62,970
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $61,017
Charlottesville
Nominal: $63,335
CoL Index: 99.146
Adjusted: $63,881

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Centreville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($97,604)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Charlottesville if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,335/year)
  • Larger job market (480 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,881)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Centreville grew -14.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 1.2% growth in Charlottesville over the same period.

Centreville, VA

+-14.1%

$71,824 (2024) → $61,705 (2025)

Charlottesville, VA

+1.2%

$61,350 (2019) → $62,063 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Centreville or Charlottesville?

Charlottesville has a higher median school counselor salary at $63,335/year, compared to Centreville at $62,970/year — a difference of $365 (0.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Centreville and Charlottesville?

Centreville school counselors earn $30.28/hr while Charlottesville hygienists earn $30.45/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Centreville to Charlottesville as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Centreville and Charlottesville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Centreville = $61,017, Charlottesville = $63,881), job availability (14 vs 480 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Centreville vs Charlottesville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $42,211 in Centreville and $41,554 in Charlottesville. The Centreville 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