School Counselor Pay

Milwaukee vs Stevens Point: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Milwaukee, WI
$60,795
$29.24/hr
Stevens Point, WI
$59,445
$28.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIStevens Point, WI
Median Salary$60,795$59,445
Hourly Rate$29.24$28.58
Entry Level (P10)$47,225$44,799
25th Percentile$50,165$49,064
75th Percentile$78,367$76,090
Top Earner (P90)$92,688$92,140
Total Employed1,5004
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($60,795) and Stevens Point ($59,445) school counselor salaries.MilwaukeeStevens PointMedian Salary$60,795$59,445Entry Level (P10)$47,225$44,799Top Earner (P90)$92,688$92,140US Median $64,335

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Stevens Point is $1,350 (2.27%). 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,Stevens Point spans $47,341. Stevens Point has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$47,225
P25$50,165
Median$60,795
P75$78,367
P90 (Top)$92,688
Stevens Point
P10 (Entry)$44,799
P25$49,064
Median$59,445
P75$76,090
P90 (Top)$92,140

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Stevens Point ($63,646 effective) pays 1.48% more than Milwaukee ($62,716 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $60,795
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $62,716
Stevens Point
Nominal: $59,445
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $63,646

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 Stevens Point if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,646)
  • 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 Stevens Point over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+17.3%

$50,800 (2019) → $59,574 (2025)

Stevens Point, WI

+1.3%

$57,530 (2024) → $58,251 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Milwaukee or Stevens Point?

Milwaukee has a higher median school counselor salary at $60,795/year, compared to Stevens Point at $59,445/year — a difference of $1,350 (2.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Stevens Point?

Milwaukee school counselors earn $29.24/hr while Stevens Point hygienists earn $28.58/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to Stevens Point as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Stevens Point. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $62,716, Stevens Point = $63,646), job availability (1,500 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $47,225 in Milwaukee and $44,799 in Stevens Point. 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