School Counselor Salary in Colorado: $65,969 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Colorado's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median school counselor pay sits at $65,969/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 21-1012. Because Colorado sits at BEA RPP 105.0 (5% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $62,828 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boulder ($73,529), Centennial ($66,340), Denver ($65,738).
The salary landscape for school counselors in Colorado shows promising trends as of 2026. The average median salary for school counselors in the state is projected at $65,969, which is slightly above the national median of $64,335, reflecting a difference of +2.5%. In terms of city-specific earnings, Boulder emerges as the highest-paying city with a salary of $75,036, while Golden shows the lowest compensation at $57,659, indicating a significant gap of $17,377. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as local funding for schools, the cost of living, and demand for counseling services in specific regions. Colorado's unique state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws also impact salary levels, as positions with higher qualifications may warrant increased compensation. The job market for school counselors is expected to grow at an annual compounded growth rate of 2.05%, indicating a stable demand driven by an emphasis on mental health awareness in educational settings. Notable cities projected for growth in salaries include Centennial at $67,700, Denver at $67,086, Fort Collins at $65,726, and Aurora at $65,612. Overall, the outlook for school counselors in Colorado suggests a solid employment landscape with opportunities for professional advancement and competitive pay.
Colorado School Counselor Salary Range
Overall salary range in Colorado: $41,241 (lowest entry-level) to $104,935 (highest top earner)
Colorado vs National Average
Colorado school counselors earn 2.54% more than the national median (+$1,634/year difference).
Colorado School Counselor Salary Distribution (2026)
School Counselor salaries in Colorado range from $50,169 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $94,495 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $65,969. The Colorado median is $1,634 above the US national median of $64,335. The average hourly rate is $31.72/hr. Approximately 6,019 school counselors are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,329
2025 BLS Actual
$64,644
2026 Current Est.
$65,969
2019–2027 Growth
+28.6%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Colorado (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,329 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,883 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,736 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,391 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,316 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,644 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,969 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,321 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 23.5% from $52,329 (2019) to $64,644 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,321 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,992 (28.65%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Colorado
Lowest Paying Cities in Colorado
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Golden | $57,659 |
| Evans | $58,017 |
| Louisville | $58,356 |
| Durango | $58,700 |
| Steamboat Springs | $59,073 |
Best Value Cities for School Counselors in Colorado
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Colorado cities offer the most purchasing power for school counselors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $75,036 | 105.202 | $71,326 |
| Pueblo | $60,545 | 91.762 | $65,980 |
| Fort Collins | $65,726 | 101.128 | $64,993 |
| Centennial | $67,700 | 105 | $64,476 |
| Denver | $67,086 | 105.782 | $63,419 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Colorado
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $50,169 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $65,969 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $94,495 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Colorado metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Colorado
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder | $75,036 |
| 2 | Centennial | $67,700 |
| 3 | Denver | $67,086 |
| 4 | Fort Collins | $65,726 |
| 5 | Aurora | $65,612 |
| 6 | Loveland | $64,152 |
| 7 | Arvada | $64,145 |
| 8 | Thornton | $63,629 |
| 9 | Westminster | $62,996 |
| 10 | Lakewood | $62,692 |
| 11 | Colorado Springs | $62,645 |
| 12 | Parker | $62,095 |
| 13 | Erie | $61,984 |
| 14 | Windsor | $61,828 |
| 15 | Castle Rock | $61,709 |
| 16 | Broomfield | $61,689 |
| 17 | Longmont | $61,669 |
| 18 | Englewood | $61,196 |
| 19 | Greeley | $60,826 |
| 20 | Commerce City | $60,771 |
| 21 | Lafayette | $60,628 |
| 22 | Pueblo | $60,545 |
| 23 | Grand Junction | $60,435 |
| 24 | Wheat Ridge | $60,278 |
| 25 | Brighton | $59,714 |
| 26 | Littleton | $59,515 |
| 27 | Fountain | $59,480 |
| 28 | Northglenn | $59,422 |
| 29 | Steamboat Springs | $59,073 |
| 30 | Durango | $58,700 |
| 31 | Louisville | $58,356 |
| 32 | Evans | $58,017 |
| 33 | Golden | $57,659 |
More Colorado Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced school counselors.
Compare Cities in Colorado
View all comparisons →Explore More School Counselor Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Colorado in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for school counselors in Colorado?
How does Colorado school counselor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level school counselor salary in Colorado?
How many school counselors are employed in Colorado?
Which Colorado city offers the best value for school counselors?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 school counselor compensation across Colorado. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more school counselorscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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