School Counselor Pay

Jersey City vs Vineland: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Jersey City, NJ and Vineland, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Jersey City, NJ
$78,918
$37.94/hr
Vineland, NJ
$67,626
$32.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJersey City, NJVineland, NJ
Median Salary$78,918$67,626
Hourly Rate$37.94$32.51
Entry Level (P10)$51,624$59,045
25th Percentile$60,291$62,076
75th Percentile$101,015$89,308
Top Earner (P90)$122,323$101,889
Total Employed42180
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jersey City ($78,918) and Vineland ($67,626) school counselor salaries.Jersey CityVinelandMedian Salary$78,918$67,626Entry Level (P10)$51,624$59,045Top Earner (P90)$122,323$101,889US Median $64,335

Verdict

Jersey City, NJ offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Vineland.

The salary gap between Jersey City and Vineland is $11,292 (16.70%). Jersey City's median is +22.67% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jersey City spans $70,699,Vineland spans $42,844. Jersey City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Jersey City
P10 (Entry)$51,624
P25$60,291
Median$78,918
P75$101,015
P90 (Top)$122,323
Vineland
P10 (Entry)$59,045
P25$62,076
Median$67,626
P75$89,308
P90 (Top)$101,889

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Vineland ($70,467 effective) pays 2.86% more than Jersey City ($68,505 effective).

Jersey City
Nominal: $78,918
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $68,505
Vineland
Nominal: $67,626
CoL Index: 95.968
Adjusted: $70,467

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jersey City if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,918/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($122,323)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Vineland if…

  • Larger job market (180 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,467)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Jersey City grew -21.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -2.0% growth in Vineland over the same period.

Jersey City, NJ

+-21.9%

$98,968 (2024) → $77,333 (2025)

Vineland, NJ

+-2.0%

$67,620 (2019) → $66,268 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Jersey City or Vineland?

Jersey City has a higher median school counselor salary at $78,918/year, compared to Vineland at $67,626/year — a difference of $11,292 (16.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jersey City and Vineland?

Jersey City school counselors earn $37.94/hr while Vineland hygienists earn $32.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jersey City to Vineland as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jersey City and Vineland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jersey City = $68,505, Vineland = $70,467), job availability (42 vs 180 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Jersey City vs Vineland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $51,624 in Jersey City and $59,045 in Vineland. The Vineland 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