Entry-Level School Counselor Salary in Ogden, UT: $38,203 (2026)
Quick Answer:New school counselors entering the Ogden, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $38,203 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 21-1012, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Ogden's local price level (BEA RPP 100.3 — 0% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $38,070 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($64,246) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the entry-level school counselor salary in Ogden, Utah, begins at $38,203, which is significantly lower than the median annual salary of $64,246 for the region. New graduates can expect a gradual pay increase as they gain experience, with the potential to reach around $47,184 after a few years in the field. While Ogden presents decent prospects for fresh graduates, the salary gap indicates that early-career counselors may need to strategically enhance their qualifications to move toward the median. Given the projected growth rate of 2.05%, there will likely be opportunities for salary advancement as school districts continue to respond to increasing mental health needs post-COVID.
Career Earnings Timeline in Ogden
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 Ogden
Entry-level school counselors in Ogden, UT typically start between $38,203 and $47,184 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $59,785 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $64,246 — 0.14% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average school counseling program cost in Utah of $38,000 represents just 99.47% of the starting school counselor pay ($38,203/year) in Ogden. 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 Ogden
- 1Research the Ogden market: entry-level school counselor pay ranges from $38,203 to $47,184, 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 Ogden, 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 Ogden for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Ogden'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 Ogden is $59,785 ( 156.49%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $38,203, experienced hygienists can earn up to $97,988.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,470
2025 BLS Actual
$37,436
2026 Current Est.
$38,203
2019–2027 Growth
+20.1%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Ogden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,470 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,436 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,203 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,987 | Projected |
Entry-level school counselor compensation (10th percentile) in Ogden, UT grew 15.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $32,470 in 2019 to $37,436 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $38,987. New graduates entering the Ogden job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ogden 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 Ogden
Employers across Ogden primarily include local public school districts, which often adopt step-and-lane salaries aligned with educational credentials. These districts typically look for candidates with a Master's degree in school counseling from a CACREP-accredited program and state certification, emphasizing the importance of these qualifications. New grads can also consider charter schools that may offer competitive starting salaries but without the benefits of tenure. Furthermore, obtaining additional credentials, such as the optional National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification, may enhance earning potential. In the first few years, school counselors can realistically anticipate salary growth as districts are increasingly hiring due to enhanced funding aimed at mental health initiatives. This positive trend reflects a growing recognition of counselors' critical role in navigating student mental health, despite the existing high counselor-to-student ratios in Utah schools.
More salary data for Ogden, 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 Ogden. 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