School Counselor Pay

Milwaukee vs Pewaukee: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Milwaukee, WI and Pewaukee, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Milwaukee, WI
$60,795
$29.24/hr
Pewaukee, WI
$58,852
$28.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIPewaukee, WI
Median Salary$60,795$58,852
Hourly Rate$29.24$28.30
Entry Level (P10)$47,225$42,907
25th Percentile$50,165$47,262
75th Percentile$78,367$73,519
Top Earner (P90)$92,688$87,412
Total Employed1,5004
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($60,795) and Pewaukee ($58,852) school counselor salaries.MilwaukeePewaukeeMedian Salary$60,795$58,852Entry Level (P10)$47,225$42,907Top Earner (P90)$92,688$87,412US Median $64,335

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pewaukee.

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Pewaukee is $1,943 (3.30%). Milwaukee's median is -5.50% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milwaukee spans $45,463,Pewaukee spans $44,505. Milwaukee has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$47,225
P25$50,165
Median$60,795
P75$78,367
P90 (Top)$92,688
Pewaukee
P10 (Entry)$42,907
P25$47,262
Median$58,852
P75$73,519
P90 (Top)$87,412

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pewaukee ($63,011 effective) pays 0.47% more than Milwaukee ($62,716 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $60,795
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $62,716
Pewaukee
Nominal: $58,852
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $63,011

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,795/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,688)
  • Larger job market (1,500 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Pewaukee if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,011)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Milwaukee grew 17.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.3% growth in Pewaukee over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+17.3%

$50,800 (2019) → $59,574 (2025)

Pewaukee, WI

+1.3%

$56,956 (2024) → $57,670 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Milwaukee or Pewaukee?

Milwaukee has a higher median school counselor salary at $60,795/year, compared to Pewaukee at $58,852/year — a difference of $1,943 (3.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Pewaukee?

Milwaukee school counselors earn $29.24/hr while Pewaukee hygienists earn $28.30/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to Pewaukee as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Pewaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $62,716, Pewaukee = $63,011), job availability (1,500 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Milwaukee vs Pewaukee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $47,225 in Milwaukee and $42,907 in Pewaukee. The Milwaukee 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