School Counselor Pay

East Hartford vs New Haven: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between East Hartford, CT and New Haven, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

East Hartford, CT
$73,090
$35.14/hr
New Haven, CT
$73,917
$35.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEast Hartford, CTNew Haven, CT
Median Salary$73,090$73,917
Hourly Rate$35.14$35.53
Entry Level (P10)$52,335$47,204
25th Percentile$58,593$61,526
75th Percentile$93,555$95,848
Top Earner (P90)$113,290$103,680
Total Employed11550
Side-by-side bar chart comparing East Hartford ($73,090) and New Haven ($73,917) school counselor salaries.East HartfordNew HavenMedian Salary$73,090$73,917Entry Level (P10)$52,335$47,204Top Earner (P90)$113,290$103,680US Median $64,335

Verdict

New Haven, CT offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to East Hartford.

The salary gap between East Hartford and New Haven is $827 (1.13%). New Haven's median is +14.89% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in East Hartford spans $60,955,New Haven spans $56,476. East Hartford has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

East Hartford
P10 (Entry)$52,335
P25$58,593
Median$73,090
P75$93,555
P90 (Top)$113,290
New Haven
P10 (Entry)$47,204
P25$61,526
Median$73,917
P75$95,848
P90 (Top)$103,680

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Haven ($70,694 effective) pays 4.36% more than East Hartford ($67,739 effective).

East Hartford
Nominal: $73,090
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $67,739
New Haven
Nominal: $73,917
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $70,694

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose East Hartford if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($113,290)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose New Haven if…

  • Higher median salary ($73,917/year)
  • Larger job market (550 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,694)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in East Hartford grew -12.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 4.2% growth in New Haven over the same period.

East Hartford, CT

+-12.5%

$81,891 (2024) → $71,622 (2025)

New Haven, CT

+4.2%

$69,490 (2019) → $72,432 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: East Hartford or New Haven?

New Haven has a higher median school counselor salary at $73,917/year, compared to East Hartford at $73,090/year — a difference of $827 (1.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between East Hartford and New Haven?

East Hartford school counselors earn $35.14/hr while New Haven hygienists earn $35.53/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from East Hartford to New Haven as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing East Hartford and New Haven. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: East Hartford = $67,739, New Haven = $70,694), job availability (11 vs 550 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in East Hartford vs New Haven?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $52,335 in East Hartford and $47,204 in New Haven. The East Hartford 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