School Counselor Salary in Fort Collins, CO: $65,726 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Fort Collins, CO earns a median $65,726/year (≈ $31.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Fort Collins's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.1), that paycheck buys what $64,993 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Collins, CO, school counselors are projected to earn a median salary of $65,726 in 2026, outpacing the national median of $64,335 by approximately 2.16%. This compensation comes amid a competitive job environment that currently employs around 530 counselors, indicating a healthy demand for this profession. With a salary range from $53,725 at the 10th percentile to $81,997 at the 90th percentile, it is clear that experience level and educational qualifications play significant roles in determining earnings. The projected salary figures stem from data derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflecting a steady growth trend of 2.05% annually, which is consistent with the increasing prioritization of mental health support within schools.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,725 | $25.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,166 | $28.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,726 | $31.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,607 | $36.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,997 | $39.42 |
Median Salary Position
2.16% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Collins
In Fort Collins, CO, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,272 (2026 est.). At $65,726, the local median is 2.16% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Collins: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Collins School Counselor Pay Compares
Fort Collins median: $65,726/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Collins Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $62,656 | +4.90% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +2.16% more |
School Counselors in Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $65,726 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.16% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 4.90% above the Colorado state average of $62,656.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Collins has a cost of living 1.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Collins, CO has a cost-of-living index of 101.128 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,726 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,993 — a 1.12% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,990
2025 BLS Actual
$64,406
2026 Current Est.
$65,726
2019–2027 Growth
+34.2%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,406 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,726 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,074 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Collins metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 28.8% from $49,990 (2019) to $64,406 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,074 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,084 (34.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Collins 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) | $53,725 – $60,166 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,166 – $65,726 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,726 – $76,607 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,607 – $81,997 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Fort Collins
The landscape of school counselor pay in Fort Collins is shaped by multiple factors, including the local cost of living, which has an index of 101.128, indicating it is slightly above the national average. This may affect purchasing power but can also align with higher salaries in various educational settings. K-12 public school districts typically offer the most lucrative positions, but opportunities also exist in charter schools and private institutions. The disparity in salaries often results from the step-and-lane pay structure that rewards years of experience and advanced degrees, as well as various stipends tied to additional responsibilities. To maximize compensation in this market, counselors should pursue certifications, consider positions that extend school year contracts, and aim for roles that provide additional stipends, reflecting the evolving priorities placed on mental health resources in school settings.
More salary data for Fort Collins, CO:
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 $64,406 for school counselorsin the Fort Collins 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