School Counselor Salary in Pueblo, CO: $60,545 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Pueblo, CO earns a median $60,545/year (≈ $29.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Pueblo's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $65,980 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The substantial increase in mental health funding post-COVID has significantly influenced the hiring landscape for school counselors in Pueblo, generating a median annual salary of $60,545 in 2026. This figure aligns closely with the growing demand for counselors to address mental health crises affecting students. The salary range spans from $47,704 at the 10th percentile to $92,729 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a diverse market for school counselor pay in Pueblo, CO. This data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, reflecting the evolving needs of educational institutions. With the push towards meeting the ASCA-recommended counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250, Pueblo's job market appears poised for continued investment and growth in this critical field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,704 | $22.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,665 | $24.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,545 | $29.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,977 | $36.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,729 | $44.59 |
Median Salary Position
5.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pueblo
In Pueblo, CO, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,025 (2026 est.). At $60,545, the local median is 5.89% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pueblo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pueblo School Counselor Pay Compares
Pueblo median: $60,545/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pueblo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $62,676 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -5.89% less |
School Counselors in Pueblo, CO earn a median of $60,545 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.89% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.40% below the Colorado state average of $62,676.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pueblo has a cost of living 8.24% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pueblo, CO has a cost-of-living index of 91.762 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $60,545 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,980 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,390
2025 BLS Actual
$59,329
2026 Current Est.
$60,545
2019–2027 Growth
+15.7%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Pueblo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,329 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,545 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,786 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pueblo metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 11.1% from $53,390 (2019) to $59,329 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,786 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,396 (15.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pueblo 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) | $47,704 – $51,665 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,665 – $60,545 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,545 – $74,977 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,977 – $92,729 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Pueblo
At present, approximately 240 school counselors are employed in Pueblo, emphasizing the importance of career opportunities within the local education system. The cost-of-living index in Pueblo is measured at 91.762, indicating that living expenses are below the national average, which enhances take-home pay for professionals in the area. Public school districts typically offer the highest salaries compared to charter networks and private institutions, with compensation affected by the step-and-lane system rooted in years of experience and education level. Factors driving the disparity in pay include advanced degrees, such as master's plus 30 credits or doctorate placements, as well as additional responsibilities like department head or club advisor roles. To maximize earnings in Pueblo, aspiring counselors should focus on acquiring specialized skills and seeking positions that offer extended contracts or summer programs, ultimately enhancing their salary potential while serving the community.
More salary data for Pueblo, 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 $59,329 for school counselorsin the Pueblo 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