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 98.1 — 2% 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.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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
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 Kaysville
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 $59,605 — 7.35% below the national median.
Return on Investment
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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,566 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,668 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,384 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,033 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,686 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,434 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,025 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,846 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,683 | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kaysville 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 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.
More salary data for Kaysville, 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 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).
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