School Counselor Pay

Entry-Level School Counselor Salary in Kaysville, UT: $40,846 (2026)

Quick Answer:New school counselors entering the Kaysville, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $40,846 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 21-1012, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kaysville's local price level (BEA RPP 98.12% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $41,637 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($59,605) within a few years of clinical practice.

$40,846
Starting Salary
$19.63/hr
Starting Hourly
$40,846
Entry Level
$59,605
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

School Counselor Entry Level Salary in Kaysville, UT — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Kaysville, UT school counselor entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

Entering the field as a school counselor in Kaysville, Utah, presents new graduates with an entry-level school counselor salary starting at approximately $40,846 in 2026. This is noticeably lower than the city median of $59,605, indicating a significant gap that early-career professionals may need to navigate. However, Kaysville offers a decent growth trajectory for new counselors, with potential salary increases leading toward $50,003 as they gain experience and skills. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.05%, new school counselors can expect a gradual increase in their earnings over the first few years. The current labor market in Kaysville is favorable for new graduates, particularly due to heightened demand for counseling professionals following the mental health crisis spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic.

About the Kaysville Market

Salary estimated from Utah average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Kaysville

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$40,846/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$50,003/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$59,605/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$76,295/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kaysville

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for school counselors in Kaysville. The median salary is $59,605, compared to the national median of $64,335.$36.8K$51.8K$66.9K$81.9K$97.0K$40.8K10th Pctl$50.0K25th Pctl$59.6KMedian$76.3K75th Pctl$92.4K90th PctlUS Median$64.3K

Entry-level school counselors in Kaysville, UT typically start between $40,846 and $50,003 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $51,542 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $59,6057.35% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of school counselor pay in the Kaysville metro area.

Return on Investment

$38,000
Avg UT Program Cost
$40,846
Starting Salary
93.03%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average school counseling program cost in Utah of $38,000 represents just 93.03% of the starting school counselor pay ($40,846/year) in Kaysville. 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 Kaysville

  • 1Research the Kaysville market: entry-level school counselor pay ranges from $40,846 to $50,003, 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 Kaysville, 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 Kaysville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Kaysville'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 Kaysville is $51,542 ( 126.19%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $40,846, experienced hygienists can earn up to $92,388.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$30,566

2025 BLS Actual

$40,025

2026 Current Est.

$40,846

2019–2027 Growth

+36.4%

Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Kaysville (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for school counselors in Kaysville. Baseline $30,566 in 2025, projected to $41,683 by 2027.$28.3K$32.2K$36.1K$40.0K$43.9K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$30.6K$31.7K$33.4K$34.0K$35.7K$37.4K$40.0K$40.8K$41.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$30,566Actual
2020$31,668Actual
2021$33,384Actual
2022$34,033Actual
2023$35,686Actual
2024$37,434Actual
2025$40,025Actual
2026(current)$40,846Estimated
2027$41,683Projected

Entry-level school counselor compensation (10th percentile) in Kaysville, UT grew 30.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $30,566 in 2019 to $40,025 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $41,683. New graduates entering the Kaysville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kaysville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Kaysville

To enhance starting pay in Kaysville, new counselors should leverage credentials such as a Master's degree in school counseling from a CACREP-accredited program and obtain state certification or licensure. Many public school districts in the area predominantly hire new master's-level school counselors and utilize a step-and-lane salary structure, which mirrors that of teachers. Schools may also offer alternative placements, including charter networks that can provide competitive salaries despite varying tenure benefits. The ASCA advocates for a counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250, but Kaysville, like much of the country, often sees ratios closer to the national average of 1:385. In light of the ongoing push for expanded mental health resources, entry-level counselors can expect not only job stability but a realistic pathway for salary growth in their initial years through both district-based hiring and professional development opportunities, maximizing their potential within this evolving landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for school counselors in Kaysville in 2026?

Entry-level school counselors in Kaysville start at approximately $40,846/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.05% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $19.64/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do school counselor salaries grow in Kaysville?

Most school counselors in Kaysville progress from the entry-level salary of $40,846 to the area median of $59,605 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $92,388 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is school counseling school worth it in Kaysville?

With a starting salary of $40,846/year in Kaysville and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new school counselors recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new school counselors make right out of school in Kaysville?

New school counseling graduates in Kaysville typically start near the 10th percentile at $40,846/year, or approximately $19.64/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a school counselor in Utah?

To become a licensed school counselor in Utah, you typically need master's degree in school counseling, counselor education, or related field from a cacrep-accredited program (typically 2 years post-bachelor's, including supervised practicum and internship). state school counselor license/certification (varies by state — typically requires master's + practicum hours + state exam). many states require a teaching license as a prerequisite., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Utah, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some school counselors pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Utah

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

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 Kaysville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Kaysville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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