Entry-Level School Counselor Salary in Billings, MT: $39,183 (2026)
Quick Answer:New school counselors entering the Billings, MT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $39,183 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 21-1012, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Billings's local price level (BEA RPP 93.5 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $41,895 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($80,147) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the school counseling field in Billings, MT, can expect an entry-level salary around $39,183 in 2026, significantly lower than the city’s median annual salary for counselors, which is projected at $80,147. This creates a noticeable gap that new counselors may need to navigate as they build their careers. However, those who remain in the profession can expect gradual income growth, moving from the entry-level pay towards the 25th percentile at $44,084 within the first few years. Given the expanding job market for school counselors due to increased mental health funding following COVID-19, Billings presents a favorable environment for newcomers. The demand for counselors in local public schools indicates a solid opportunity for recent graduates to kickstart their careers and improve their earnings over time.
Career Earnings Timeline in Billings
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 Billings
Entry-level school counselors in Billings, MT typically start between $39,183 and $44,084 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $63,506 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $80,147 — 24.58% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average school counseling program cost in Montana of $35,000 represents just 89.32% of the starting school counselor pay ($39,183/year) in Billings. 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 Billings
- 1Research the Billings market: entry-level school counselor pay ranges from $39,183 to $44,084, 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 MT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Billings, 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 Billings for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Billings's below-average 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 Billings is $63,506 ( 162.08%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $39,183, experienced hygienists can earn up to $102,689.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$27,640
2025 BLS Actual
$38,396
2026 Current Est.
$39,183
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,396 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,183 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,986 | Projected |
Entry-level school counselor compensation (10th percentile) in Billings, MT grew 38.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $27,640 in 2019 to $38,396 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $39,986. New graduates entering the Billings job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings 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 Billings
Potential employers in Billings that hire new counselors typically include public school districts, which offer a structured salary increase system aligned with K-12 educators based on a step-and-lane pay structure. While charter schools may provide a higher starting base salary, they often lack tenure benefits associated with traditional public schools. For those looking to enhance their starting pay in Montana, attaining a Master's degree in school counseling from a CACREP-accredited program and obtaining state certification is crucial. Candidates should also focus on gaining supervised internship hours, with many districts requiring over 600 hours. As the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) points out, the current school counselor-to-student ratio is far from ideal, indicating a persistent need for counselors in the field. In the first three years, new counselors might see modest salary advancements driven by the established pay scale and increasing demand within the district, making the pursuit of professional development and networking essential for long-term success.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
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 Billings. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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