School Counselor Salary in Juneau, AK: $66,131 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Juneau, AK earns a median $66,131/year (≈ $31.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Juneau's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.1), that paycheck buys what $62,329 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Alaska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Juneau, Alaska, the projected median annual salary for school counselors in 2026 is $66,131, which is slightly above the national median of $64,335. This figure signifies an encouraging outlook for school counseling professionals within the district, especially when considering the optimal counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250 recommended by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). Currently, the salary range for school counselors in Juneau extends from $45,055 at the 10th percentile to $102,232 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the potential for significant earnings variation based on factors such as experience, education, and specific roles within the school district. With only six school counselors employed in the area, the competitive nature of securing these positions is evident, hinting at the relatively close-knit professional community facing a growing demand for mental health resources in schools.
About the Juneau Market
Salary estimated from Alaska average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,055 | $21.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,285 | $26.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,131 | $31.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,826 | $39.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,232 | $49.15 |
Median Salary Position
2.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Juneau
In Juneau, AK, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,177 (2026 est.). At $66,131, the local median is 2.79% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Juneau: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Juneau School Counselor Pay Compares
Juneau median: $66,131/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Juneau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $66,867 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +2.79% more |
School Counselors in Juneau, AK earn a median of $66,131 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.79% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 1.10% below the Alaska state average of $66,867.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Juneau has a cost of living 6.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Juneau, AK has a cost-of-living index of 106.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,131 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,329 — a 5.75% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$57,459
2025 BLS Actual
$64,803
2026 Current Est.
$66,131
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Juneau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,459 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,547 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,955 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,582 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,164 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,813 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,803 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,131 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,487 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Juneau metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $57,459 (2019) to $64,803 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,487 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,028 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Juneau 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) | $45,055 – $55,285 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,285 – $66,131 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,131 – $82,826 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,826 – $102,232 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Juneau
The financial landscape for school counselors in Juneau also reflects the local cost of living, with a cost-of-living index of 106.1, meaning that while salaries are competitive, everyday expenses are also higher than the national average. This reality affects take-home purchasing power significantly, indicating that prudent financial planning is necessary. In terms of employment opportunities, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive salaries, influenced by factors such as longevity and advanced educational qualifications in the step-and-lane pay scale. The disparity between lower and higher salaries in the district arises from a combination of experience, educational attainment (master’s versus master’s+30 or doctorate), and additional roles that come with stipends, such as department heads or club advisors. To enhance earning potential in this market, school counselors should consider pursuing advanced degrees and actively seeking summer program involvement or other extracurricular positions that offer additional compensation for their expertise.
More salary data for Juneau, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Juneau, AK in 2026?
Is Juneau, AK a good place to work as a school counselor?
Can school counselors make $100K in Juneau?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted school counselor salary in Juneau?
How much does a school counselor make per hour in Juneau?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alaska
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 $64,803 for school counselorsin the Juneau 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
Salary data for Juneau 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