School Counselor Salary in Fairbanks, AK: $80,228 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Fairbanks, AK earns a median $80,228/year (≈ $38.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Fairbanks's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $77,734 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.9% above the Alaska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fairbanks, Alaska, school counselors earn a median salary of $80,228 in 2026, representing a significant 24.70% increase over the national median of $64,335 for the same year. The salary for school counselors ranges from $59,976 at the 10th percentile to $103,430 at the 90th percentile. This projection is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, which highlights the importance of regional context in understanding compensation. With the student-to-counselor ratio still high in this district, as compared to the recommended 1:250 by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), the role of counselors remains critical, further signaling a robust job market in Fairbanks that values mental health and student support.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,976 | $28.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,295 | $30.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,228 | $38.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,430 | $49.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,430 | $49.73 |
Median Salary Position
24.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairbanks
In Fairbanks, AK, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,454 (2026 est.). At $80,228, the local median is 24.7% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairbanks: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairbanks School Counselor Pay Compares
Fairbanks median: $80,228/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairbanks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $66,912 | +19.90% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +24.70% more |
School Counselors in Fairbanks, AK earn a median of $80,228 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.70% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 19.90% above the Alaska state average of $66,912.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairbanks has a cost of living 3.21% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fairbanks, AK has a cost-of-living index of 103.208 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,228 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,734 — a 3.11% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,410
2025 BLS Actual
$78,616
2026 Current Est.
$80,228
2019–2027 Growth
+37.8%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Fairbanks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,616 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,228 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,872 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairbanks metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 32.3% from $59,410 (2019) to $78,616 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,872 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,462 (37.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairbanks 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) | $59,976 – $63,295 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,295 – $80,228 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,228 – $103,430 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,430 – $103,430 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Fairbanks
The local job market for school counselors is characterized by approximately 40 professionals currently employed in Fairbanks, reflecting a competitive landscape despite a relatively higher cost of living index at 103.208. This elevated cost can affect take-home purchasing power, making it vital for counselors to understand salary dynamics. Among the highest-paying employers are the K-12 public school districts, where compensation is often structured using a step-and-lane pay scale influenced by years of experience and education levels. Factors such as the extended school year, stipends for additional roles, and school district premiums tailored for high-cost areas could lead to substantial variations in salaries. Optimizing one’s earning potential in Fairbanks may involve targeting positions within larger districts, seeking additional certifications, or engaging in summer programs, all of which can enhance both pay and career advancement opportunities in this growing field.
More salary data for Fairbanks, 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 $78,616 for school counselorsin the Fairbanks 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