School Counselor Pay

Minneapolis vs Savage: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Minneapolis, MN and Savage, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Minneapolis, MN
$64,606
$31.06/hr
Savage, MN
$62,465
$30.03/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMinneapolis, MNSavage, MN
Median Salary$64,606$62,465
Hourly Rate$31.06$30.03
Entry Level (P10)$49,275$47,544
25th Percentile$58,805$51,903
75th Percentile$78,947$79,955
Top Earner (P90)$98,638$96,821
Total Employed3,0509
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Minneapolis ($64,606) and Savage ($62,465) school counselor salaries.MinneapolisSavageMedian Salary$64,606$62,465Entry Level (P10)$49,275$47,544Top Earner (P90)$98,638$96,821US Median $64,335

Verdict

Minneapolis, MN offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Savage.

The salary gap between Minneapolis and Savage is $2,141 (3.43%). Minneapolis's median is +0.42% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Minneapolis spans $49,363,Savage spans $49,277. Minneapolis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Minneapolis
P10 (Entry)$49,275
P25$58,805
Median$64,606
P75$78,947
P90 (Top)$98,638
Savage
P10 (Entry)$47,544
P25$51,903
Median$62,465
P75$79,955
P90 (Top)$96,821

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Savage ($63,416 effective) pays 2.89% more than Minneapolis ($61,634 effective).

Minneapolis
Nominal: $64,606
CoL Index: 104.822
Adjusted: $61,634
Savage
Nominal: $62,465
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $63,416

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Minneapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,606/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,638)
  • Larger job market (3,050 employed)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Savage if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,416)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Minneapolis grew 8.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -8.2% growth in Savage over the same period.

Minneapolis, MN

+8.5%

$58,350 (2019) → $63,308 (2025)

Savage, MN

+-8.2%

$66,665 (2024) → $61,210 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Minneapolis or Savage?

Minneapolis has a higher median school counselor salary at $64,606/year, compared to Savage at $62,465/year — a difference of $2,141 (3.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Minneapolis and Savage?

Minneapolis school counselors earn $31.06/hr while Savage hygienists earn $30.03/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Minneapolis to Savage as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Minneapolis and Savage. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Minneapolis = $61,634, Savage = $63,416), job availability (3,050 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Minneapolis vs Savage?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $49,275 in Minneapolis and $47,544 in Savage. The Minneapolis area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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