School Counselor Salary in Erie, CO: $61,984 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Erie, CO earns a median $61,984/year (≈ $29.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Erie's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $59,032 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Erie, Colorado, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $61,984, which falls slightly below the national median of $64,335. The salary spans a range from $44,185 at the 10th percentile to $95,926 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variations based on experience and education, particularly within the K-12 school system's step-and-lane scale. These figures are derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for local cost of living factors. Given Erie's competitive job market for school counseling, salary levels can greatly depend on district policies and funding availability.
About the Erie Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,185 | $21.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,485 | $23.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,984 | $29.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,696 | $37.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,926 | $46.12 |
Median Salary Position
3.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Erie
In Erie, CO, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,741 (2026 est.). At $61,984, the local median is 3.65% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Erie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Erie School Counselor Pay Compares
Erie median: $61,984/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Erie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $62,674 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -3.65% less |
School Counselors in Erie, CO earn a median of $61,984 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.65% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.10% below the Colorado state average of $62,674.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Erie has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Erie, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,984 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $59,032 — a 4.76% 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
$53,856
2025 BLS Actual
$60,739
2026 Current Est.
$61,984
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,856 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,876 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,132 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,783 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,265 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,724 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,739 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,984 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,255 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Erie metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $53,856 (2019) to $60,739 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,255 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,399 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie 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) | $44,185 – $49,485 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,485 – $61,984 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,984 – $77,696 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,696 – $95,926 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Erie
With only five school counselors employed in the area, Erie's job market can be seen as relatively tight, necessitating an understanding of the cost of living index, which stands at 105, indicating a slightly higher than average living expense. The salary dynamics among various educational institutions reveal different pay scales; typically, K-12 public school districts provide structured step-and-lane compensation, while charter schools may offer incentives for hard-to-fill positions. The disparity between lower and higher salaries often stems from advancement in education, such as obtaining master's+30 or doctoral degrees, along with potential stipends for additional roles during the school year. For those seeking higher compensation, focusing on gaining advanced qualifications and considering roles in districts with greater mental health funding may yield better financial returns in the school counselor pay in Erie, CO.
More salary data for Erie, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Erie, CO in 2026?
Is Erie, CO a good place to work as a school counselor?
Can school counselors make $100K in Erie?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted school counselor salary in Erie?
How much does a school counselor make per hour in Erie?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Colorado
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 $60,739 for school counselorsin the Erie 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 Erie 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