School Counselor Pay

Coeur d'Alene vs Nampa: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Coeur d'Alene, ID and Nampa, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Coeur d'Alene, ID
$60,985
$29.32/hr
Nampa, ID
$61,254
$29.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCoeur d'Alene, IDNampa, ID
Median Salary$60,985$61,254
Hourly Rate$29.32$29.45
Entry Level (P10)$40,133$41,563
25th Percentile$51,544$47,579
75th Percentile$73,367$78,406
Top Earner (P90)$80,257$94,944
Total Employed12025
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Coeur d'Alene ($60,985) and Nampa ($61,254) school counselor salaries.Coeur d'AleneNampaMedian Salary$60,985$61,254Entry Level (P10)$40,133$41,563Top Earner (P90)$80,257$94,944US Median $64,335

Verdict

Nampa, ID offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Coeur d'Alene.

The salary gap between Coeur d'Alene and Nampa is $269 (0.44%). Nampa's median is -4.79% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Coeur d'Alene spans $40,124,Nampa spans $53,381. Nampa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Coeur d'Alene
P10 (Entry)$40,133
P25$51,544
Median$60,985
P75$73,367
P90 (Top)$80,257
Nampa
P10 (Entry)$41,563
P25$47,579
Median$61,254
P75$78,406
P90 (Top)$94,944

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nampa ($64,275 effective) pays 3.60% more than Coeur d'Alene ($62,044 effective).

Coeur d'Alene
Nominal: $60,985
CoL Index: 98.293
Adjusted: $62,044
Nampa
Nominal: $61,254
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $64,275

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Coeur d'Alene if…

  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Nampa if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,254/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($94,944)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,275)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Coeur d'Alene grew 55.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.2% growth in Nampa over the same period.

Coeur d'Alene, ID

+55.1%

$38,540 (2019) → $59,760 (2025)

Nampa, ID

+-1.2%

$60,782 (2024) → $60,024 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Coeur d'Alene or Nampa?

Nampa has a higher median school counselor salary at $61,254/year, compared to Coeur d'Alene at $60,985/year — a difference of $269 (0.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Coeur d'Alene and Nampa?

Coeur d'Alene school counselors earn $29.32/hr while Nampa hygienists earn $29.45/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Coeur d'Alene to Nampa as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Coeur d'Alene and Nampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Coeur d'Alene = $62,044, Nampa = $64,275), job availability (120 vs 25 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Coeur d'Alene vs Nampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $40,133 in Coeur d'Alene and $41,563 in Nampa. The Nampa 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