Entry-Level School Counselor Salary in Clearfield, UT: $43,370 (2026)
Quick Answer:New school counselors entering the Clearfield, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $43,370 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 21-1012, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Clearfield's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $44,210 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($58,502) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates pursuing a career as school counselors in Clearfield, UT, can expect a starting salary around $43,370, significantly lower than the median annual salary of $58,502 for all school counselors in the area. This gap reflects the natural progression that many entry-level positions follow, where salaries incrementally increase as counselors gain experience. Entry-level professionals can look forward to expected salary growth as they move through their careers; early career pay may rise to $47,755 and eventually reach the median within their first three to five years. Given the current job market and annual growth rate of 2.05%, Clearfield offers a viable opportunity for recent graduates to enter the field, especially with the increased hiring driven by mental health funding and enhanced demand for school counselors post-COVID.
About the Clearfield Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Clearfield
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 Clearfield
Entry-level school counselors in Clearfield, UT typically start between $43,370 and $47,755 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $47,309 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $58,502 — 9.07% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average school counseling program cost in Utah of $38,000 represents just 87.62% of the starting school counselor pay ($43,370/year) in Clearfield. 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 Clearfield
- 1Research the Clearfield market: entry-level school counselor pay ranges from $43,370 to $47,755, 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 UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Clearfield, 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 Clearfield for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Clearfield'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 Clearfield is $47,309 ( 109.08%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $43,370, experienced hygienists can earn up to $90,679.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,455
2025 BLS Actual
$42,499
2026 Current Est.
$43,370
2019–2027 Growth
+36.4%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Clearfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,455 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,625 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,447 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,136 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,892 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,895 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,499 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,370 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,259 | Projected |
Entry-level school counselor compensation (10th percentile) in Clearfield, UT grew 30.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $32,455 in 2019 to $42,499 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $44,259. New graduates entering the Clearfield job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clearfield 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 Clearfield
Public school districts are the principal employers of new master's-level school counselors in Clearfield, typically adhering to a step-and-lane salary distribution based on education and experience levels. Charter schools may provide slightly higher base salaries while lacking tenure benefits, and Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools offer unique opportunities with a cost-of-living adjustment for positions overseas. To enhance their starting pay in Utah, new graduates should consider obtaining their state counselor certification and possibly earning the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification. Early in their careers, counselors should plan strategically, as high student-to-counselor ratios—averaging 1:385 nationally—can lead to a greater demand for services and, subsequently, job stability. Realistically, new counselors in their first three years in Clearfield can expect gradual salary improvements that align with the established K-12 pay structures.
More salary data for Clearfield, UT:
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 Clearfield. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Clearfield 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