School Counselor Salary in Fountain, CO: $59,480 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Fountain, CO earns a median $59,480/year (≈ $28.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Fountain's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $56,648 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fountain, Colorado, school counselors are projected to earn a median salary of $59,480 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median for similar roles, which stands at $64,335, indicating a gap that reflects both local market conditions and wider educational funding priorities. The expected salary range for counselors in this area spans from $43,514 at the 10th percentile to $92,194 at the 90th percentile. With a counseling-to-student ratio that often exceeds the recommended 1:250 benchmark set by ASCA, the job market may present challenges, particularly given the current emphasis on expanding mental health resources in schools.
About the Fountain Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,514 | $20.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,124 | $23.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,480 | $28.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,134 | $36.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,194 | $44.32 |
Median Salary Position
7.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fountain
In Fountain, CO, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,680 (2026 est.). At $59,480, the local median is 7.55% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fountain: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fountain School Counselor Pay Compares
Fountain median: $59,480/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fountain Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $62,676 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -7.55% less |
School Counselors in Fountain, CO earn a median of $59,480 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.55% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.10% below the Colorado state average of $62,676.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fountain has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fountain, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,480 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,648 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,680
2025 BLS Actual
$58,285
2026 Current Est.
$59,480
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Fountain (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,659 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,824 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,489 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,911 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,786 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,285 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,480 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,699 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fountain metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $51,680 (2019) to $58,285 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,699 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,019 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fountain 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) | $43,514 – $48,124 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,124 – $59,480 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,480 – $76,134 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,134 – $92,194 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Fountain
Fountain's local job market employs four school counselors, illustrating a relatively small and potentially competitive field. The cost of living index in Fountain is noted at 105, which signifies that while the salaries are somewhat competitive, they may not offer the same purchasing power as locations with lower living costs. School districts vary in pay, with K-12 public institutions typically adhering to a step-and-lane pay structure, considering factors such as years of experience and educational attainment. Strategies for maximizing school counselor pay in Fountain CO include pursuing advanced degrees beyond a master's, seeking positions in higher-paying districts, and exploring additional roles like department head or club advisor. Overall, understanding the financial landscape and educational environment in Fountain can help prospective counselors navigate their career paths more effectively.
More salary data for Fountain, 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 $58,285 for school counselorsin the Fountain 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 Fountain 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