Entry-Level School Counselor Salary in Framingham, MA: $53,745 (2026)

Employers in Framingham are primarily public school districts, which typically offer structured pay scales following a step-and-lane system similar to that of teachers. This means that a master’s-level school counselor will often start at a lower salary but has clear potential for growth through added experience and years in service. Private charter schools might offer slightly higher initial pay; however, they often lack tenure benefits, making them less stable long-term options. Key credentials needed to enhance starting pay in Massachusetts include obtaining a master’s degree in school counseling from a CACREP-accredited institution and the necessary state certification. New school counselors should strategically seek opportunities for supervised internship hours and consider pursuing National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification to solidify their qualifications. While school counselor-to-student ratios are challenging, favoring a national average of 1:385 over the recommended 1:250, the rising funding for mental health resources suggests that hiring opportunities will continue to expand, leading to salary increases within the first few years of employment.