School Counselor Salary in Lakewood, CO: $62,692 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Lakewood, CO earns a median $62,692/year (≈ $30.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $59,707 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lakewood, Colorado, school counselors can expect a median annual salary of $62,692 in 2026, which reflects a slight decrease of 2.55% compared to the national median of $64,335. This compensation spans a generous range, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $44,796 and the top 10% making up to $97,173. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost considerations, indicate a favorable compensation environment for school counselors amid ongoing efforts to address the critical school counselor-to-student ratio, which remains high at 1:385 compared to the ASCA target of 1:250. As Lakewood continues to prioritize mental health in its educational framework, the evolving job market reflects these changes.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,796 | $21.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,359 | $24.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,692 | $30.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,246 | $38.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,173 | $46.72 |
Median Salary Position
2.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, CO, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,377 (2026 est.). At $62,692, the local median is 2.55% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood School Counselor Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $62,692/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $62,630 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | -2.55% less |
School Counselors in Lakewood, CO earn a median of $62,692 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.55% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.10% above the Colorado state average of $62,630.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,692 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $59,707 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,471
2025 BLS Actual
$61,433
2026 Current Est.
$62,692
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,471 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,503 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,785 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,432 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,931 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,555 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,433 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,692 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,978 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $54,471 (2019) to $61,433 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,978 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,507 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $44,796 – $50,359 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,359 – $62,692 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,692 – $80,246 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,246 – $97,173 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Lakewood
The job market for school counselors in Lakewood shows promising strength, with 27 professionals currently employed in this field. The relatively higher cost of living, indexed at 105, adds complexity to overall take-home pay, which can affect purchasing power despite competitive salaries. Among various educational institutions in Lakewood, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most substantial pay, driven by a step-and-lane structure that rewards years of experience and advanced education levels. Factors like district premiums for high costs of living, salary adjustments for master's-plus credentials, and assignments tied to summer programs or leadership roles contribute to the wage spread. To maximize compensation, prospective school counselors should consider gaining additional certifications and pursuing advanced degrees, as these can significantly influence placement within pay scales and boost overall school counselor pay in Lakewood, CO.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 $61,433 for school counselorsin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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