School Counselor Pay

Madison vs Menomonee Falls: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Madison, WI and Menomonee Falls, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Madison, WI
$67,516
$32.46/hr
Menomonee Falls, WI
$60,869
$29.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIMenomonee Falls, WI
Median Salary$67,516$60,869
Hourly Rate$32.46$29.27
Entry Level (P10)$51,115$42,980
25th Percentile$60,466$48,292
75th Percentile$82,268$77,316
Top Earner (P90)$99,969$93,718
Total Employed91010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($67,516) and Menomonee Falls ($60,869) school counselor salaries.MadisonMenomonee FallsMedian Salary$67,516$60,869Entry Level (P10)$51,115$42,980Top Earner (P90)$99,969$93,718US Median $64,335

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Menomonee Falls.

The salary gap between Madison and Menomonee Falls is $6,647 (10.92%). Madison's median is +4.94% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Madison spans $48,854,Menomonee Falls spans $50,738. Menomonee Falls has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Madison
P10 (Entry)$51,115
P25$60,466
Median$67,516
P75$82,268
P90 (Top)$99,969
Menomonee Falls
P10 (Entry)$42,980
P25$48,292
Median$60,869
P75$77,316
P90 (Top)$93,718

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($69,399 effective) pays 6.49% more than Menomonee Falls ($65,170 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $67,516
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $69,399
Menomonee Falls
Nominal: $60,869
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $65,170

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,516/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($99,969)
  • Larger job market (910 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,399)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Menomonee Falls if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Madison grew 26.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.3% growth in Menomonee Falls over the same period.

Madison, WI

+26.7%

$52,220 (2019) → $66,160 (2025)

Menomonee Falls, WI

+1.3%

$58,908 (2024) → $59,646 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Madison or Menomonee Falls?

Madison has a higher median school counselor salary at $67,516/year, compared to Menomonee Falls at $60,869/year — a difference of $6,647 (10.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Menomonee Falls?

Madison school counselors earn $32.46/hr while Menomonee Falls hygienists earn $29.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Menomonee Falls as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Menomonee Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $69,399, Menomonee Falls = $65,170), job availability (910 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Madison vs Menomonee Falls?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $51,115 in Madison and $42,980 in Menomonee Falls. The Madison area offers higher starting salaries.
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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