School Counselor Salary in Hawaii: $63,483 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Hawaii's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median school counselor pay sits at $63,483/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 21-1012. Because Hawaii sits at BEA RPP 119.3 (19% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $53,213 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Honolulu ($78,428), Kaneohe ($73,242), Mililani Town ($73,111).
In Hawaii, school counselors have an average median salary of $63,483 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $64,335, representing a 1.3% difference. The highest paying city is Honolulu, where salaries reach $80,036, while Urban Honolulu offers the lowest at $61,035, creating a significant gap of $18,001. This disparity is largely driven by cost of living variations, funding opportunities in different school districts, and local demand for services. To practice as a school counselor in Hawaii, individuals must meet specific state licensing requirements and adhere to scope of practice laws, which may influence salary levels. The demand for school counselors in Hawaii is expected to grow at an annual rate of 2.05%, reflecting the increasing recognition of mental health and academic support needs in educational settings. With a total of 1,410 school counselors employed across the state, cities like Kaneohe at $74,743, Mililani Town at $74,610, Kailua at $74,563, and East Honolulu at $73,734 illustrate the regional differences in compensation. Overall, while the salary levels may not match the national averages, the profession offers stability and potential for growth within Hawaii's unique educational landscape.
Hawaii School Counselor Salary Range
Overall salary range in Hawaii: $49,244 (lowest entry-level) to $124,055 (highest top earner)
Hawaii vs National Average
Hawaii school counselors earn 1.32% less than the national median ($-852/year difference).
Hawaii School Counselor Salary Distribution (2026)
School Counselor salaries in Hawaii range from $49,582 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $95,458 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $63,483. The Hawaii median is $852 below the US national median of $64,335. The average hourly rate is $30.52/hr. Approximately 1,410 school counselors are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,826
2025 BLS Actual
$62,208
2026 Current Est.
$63,483
2019–2027 Growth
+4.8%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Hawaii (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,826 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,970 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,558 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,274 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,299 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,819 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,208 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,483 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,784 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hawaii metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 0.6% from $61,826 (2019) to $62,208 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,784 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,958 (4.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hawaii 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Hawaii
Lowest Paying Cities in Hawaii
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | $61,035 |
| Hilo | $71,376 |
| Pearl City | $73,005 |
| Kahului | $73,596 |
| Waipahu | $73,705 |
Best Value Cities for School Counselors in Hawaii
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Hawaii cities offer the most purchasing power for school counselors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului | $73,596 | 109.393 | $67,277 |
| Honolulu | $80,036 | 119.3 | $67,088 |
| Kaneohe | $74,743 | 119.3 | $62,651 |
| Mililani Town | $74,610 | 119.3 | $62,540 |
| Kailua | $74,563 | 119.3 | $62,500 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Hawaii
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,582 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $63,483 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $95,458 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Hawaii metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Hawaii
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honolulu | $80,036 |
| 2 | Kaneohe | $74,743 |
| 3 | Mililani Town | $74,610 |
| 4 | Kailua | $74,563 |
| 5 | East Honolulu | $73,734 |
| 6 | Waipahu | $73,705 |
| 7 | Kahului | $73,596 |
| 8 | Pearl City | $73,005 |
| 9 | Hilo | $71,376 |
| 10 | Urban Honolulu | $61,035 |
More Hawaii Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced school counselors.
Explore More School Counselor Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Hawaii in 2026?
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How does Hawaii school counselor pay compare to the national average?
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How many school counselors are employed in Hawaii?
Which Hawaii city offers the best value for school counselors?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 school counselor compensation across Hawaii. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more school counselorscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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