Entry-Level School Counselor Salary in Braintree, MA: $57,100 (2026)
Quick Answer:New school counselors entering the Braintree, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $57,100 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 21-1012, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Braintree's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $52,627 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($75,728) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the school counseling profession in Braintree, Massachusetts can anticipate a starting school counselor salary of approximately $57,100 in 2026. While this figure is the entry-level pay, it's essential to understand how it stacks up against the city’s median salary of $75,728. This leaves a considerable gap for early-career counselors, but there is room for growth. Over the initial few years, entry-level pay can realistically increase as new counselors develop their skills, with potential earnings rising to about $62,762 by gaining experience and possibly additional certifications. Braintree emerges as a promising market for recent graduates, particularly given its proximity to educational resources and supportive hiring climate, fueled by increased mental health funding following the pandemic.
About the Braintree Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Braintree
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Braintree
Entry-level school counselors in Braintree, MA typically start between $57,100 and $62,762 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $60,279 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $75,728 — 17.71% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average school counseling program cost in Massachusetts of $75,000 represents just 131.35% of the starting school counselor pay ($57,100/year) in Braintree. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CACREP-accredited master's programs in school counseling. In-state public institutions are the lowest-cost option; private universities carry higher tuition. Totals reflect tuition and required fees; practicum and internship hours are typically unpaid and add opportunity cost. State licensure requirements may mandate additional coursework.
SC, LSC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Braintree
- 1Research the Braintree market: entry-level school counselor pay ranges from $57,100 to $62,762, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the school counseling field — employers in MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Braintree, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Braintree for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Braintree's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
School Counselor Compensation Range
The school counselor wage spread in Braintree is $60,279 ( 105.57%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $57,100, experienced hygienists can earn up to $117,379.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$42,729
2025 BLS Actual
$55,953
2026 Current Est.
$57,100
2019–2027 Growth
+36.4%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Braintree (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,729 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,669 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,576 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,888 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,506 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,953 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,100 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,271 | Projected |
Entry-level school counselor compensation (10th percentile) in Braintree, MA grew 30.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $42,729 in 2019 to $55,953 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $58,271. New graduates entering the Braintree job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Braintree metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.05% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your school counseling Career in Braintree
Employers in Braintree that typically hire new graduates include public school districts, which offer a structured step-and-lane pay scale similar to that of teachers, often matching compensation to educational qualifications. Charter schools and DoDEA schools are also notable employers; the former may provide slightly higher entry salaries without the long-term stability of tenure, while the latter can involve overseas placements with additional cost-of-living allowances. For new graduates, having a Master's degree in school counseling from a CACREP-accredited program and obtaining state certification enhances their starting pay. Engaging in continuing education, such as pursuing National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification further elevates their qualifications. Young professionals should focus on building solid networking connections and staying informed about the ASCA's recommendations for the 1:250 counselor-to-student ratio, as awareness of these ratios can improve job prospects. Given the expected salary trajectory, those entering the field in Braintree can look forward to meaningful advancements in compensation within their first few years.
More salary data for Braintree, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new school counseling graduates. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Braintree. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Braintree is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.05%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for school counselors (SOC 21-1012).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov