School Counselor Salary in Anchorage, AK: $82,907 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Anchorage, AK earns a median $82,907/year (≈ $39.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Anchorage's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $78,644 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 23.9% above the Alaska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the predicted median annual salary for school counselors in Anchorage, Alaska, is $82,907, significantly surpassing the national median of $64,335 by 28.87%. This robust compensation aligns with Anchorage's step-and-lane scale, which rewards educational advancement and experience within K-12 education systems. The salary for school counselors ranges from $50,875 at the 10th percentile up to $101,209 at the 90th percentile, indicating a broad spectrum in pay. This data derives from official 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projecting trends for 2026. The job market for school counselors in Anchorage reflects a vital need, emphasizing the importance of qualified professionals to meet the ever-growing demands of student mental health and academic support.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,875 | $24.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,706 | $31.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,907 | $39.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,209 | $48.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,209 | $48.66 |
Median Salary Position
28.87% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Anchorage
In Anchorage, AK, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,334 (2026 est.). At $82,907, the local median is 28.87% above the national median of $64,335.
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At 40 hours/week in Anchorage: You'd be above the median
How Anchorage School Counselor Pay Compares
Anchorage median: $82,907/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Anchorage Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $66,915 | +23.90% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +28.87% more |
School Counselors in Anchorage, AK earn a median of $82,907 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.87% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 23.90% above the Alaska state average of $66,915.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Anchorage has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Anchorage, AK has a cost-of-living index of 105.42 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,907 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $78,644 — a 5.14% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,340
2025 BLS Actual
$81,242
2026 Current Est.
$82,907
2019–2027 Growth
+35.7%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Anchorage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,242 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,907 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,607 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Anchorage metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 30.3% from $62,340 (2019) to $81,242 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,607 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,267 (35.72%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Anchorage 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $50,875 – $65,706 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,706 – $82,907 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,907 – $101,209 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,209 – $101,209 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Anchorage
Anchorage’s local job market for school counselors is comparatively strong, with approximately 320 employed in the area, providing numerous opportunities for recent graduates and experienced practitioners alike. However, the cost of living can be challenging, given a cost-of-living index of 105.42, which suggests that while salaries may be high, take-home purchasing power is affected by housing and daily expenses. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer competitive salaries, along with opportunities for stipends for specialized roles, summer programs, or department leadership positions that can help maximize earnings. The spread in salaries can often be attributed to factors such as education levels (master's, master's +30, or doctorate) and years of experience, as well as unique bonuses offered to those filling vital roles in educational institutions. For those exploring how much do school counselors make in Anchorage, pursuing advanced degrees and additional certifications can be effective strategies to enhance salary potential in this dynamic market.
More salary data for Anchorage, AK:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $81,242 for school counselorsin the Anchorage metropolitan area. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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