School Counselor Salary in Wilmington, DE: $67,326 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Wilmington, DE earns a median $67,326/year (≈ $32.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $66,201 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% above the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wilmington, Delaware, the median annual salary for school counselors is projected to reach $67,326 in 2026, reflecting a healthy increase compared to the national average of $64,335. This salary range spans from $46,510 at the 10th percentile to $104,356 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning potential for experienced counselors. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments highlight Wilmington's competitive compensation landscape, driven by a post-COVID expansion in mental health funding that has prompted an increase in hiring across many districts. Such initiatives aim to address the pressing mental health needs of students while also improving counselor-to-student ratios, which remain higher than recommended levels.
About the Wilmington Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,510 | $22.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,699 | $25.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,326 | $32.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,552 | $41.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,356 | $50.17 |
Median Salary Position
4.65% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, DE, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,846 (2026 est.). At $67,326, the local median is 4.65% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington School Counselor Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $67,326/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $64,120 | +5.00% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +4.65% more |
School Counselors in Wilmington, DE earn a median of $67,326 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.65% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 5.00% above the Delaware state average of $64,120.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $67,326 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,201 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,498
2025 BLS Actual
$65,974
2026 Current Est.
$67,326
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,498 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,605 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,056 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,677 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,287 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,634 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,974 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,326 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,707 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $58,498 (2019) to $65,974 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,707 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,209 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $46,510 – $52,699 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,699 – $67,326 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,326 – $85,552 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,552 – $104,356 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Wilmington
The local job market for school counselors remains stable, with around 10 professionals currently employed within Wilmington. This employment scenario is coupled with a cost-of-living index of 101.7, slightly above the national average, meaning that despite competitive salaries, take-home purchasing power may be affected. The highest-paying employers in the area include K-12 public school districts and charter networks, which utilize the step-and-lane salary scale typical in education. Compensation varies widely based on experience, education level, and specific district policies regarding summer programs and stipends for extra roles. For those looking to maximize their school counselor pay in Wilmington, seeking additional certifications, pursuing advanced degrees, and negotiating effectively with employers can provide significant advantages in this dynamic job market.
More salary data for Wilmington, DE:
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 $65,974 for school counselorsin the Wilmington 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 Wilmington 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