School Counselor Salary in Maine: $58,762 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maine's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median school counselor pay sits at $58,762/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 21-1012. Because Maine sits at BEA RPP 99.6 (0% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $58,998 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Portland ($59,907), South Portland ($59,651), Scarborough ($58,711).
In Maine, the average median salary for school counselors in 2026 is projected to be $58,761, which is approximately 8.7% lower than the national median of $64,335. The highest paying city is Portland, where school counselors can earn around $61,135, while the lowest paying city, Bangor, offers about $51,675. This salary disparity is driven largely by factors such as cost of living, demand for services, and funding for education in different areas. Maine has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that school counselors must adhere to, which can influence job prospects and salary potential. The state's demand for school counselors is expected to rise, with a projected annual growth rate of 2.05%, reflecting an ongoing need for mental health support and guidance in schools. The total employment for school counselors in Maine is estimated at 1,105. The top five cities for salaries include South Portland at $60,874, Scarborough at $59,915, Lewiston at $59,505, and Auburn at $59,489, indicating that opportunities for competitive salaries can be found across several metro areas. Overall, the job market for school counselors in Maine shows promise, though salaries still trail behind national averages.
Maine School Counselor Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maine: $41,897 (lowest entry-level) to $94,354 (highest top earner)
Maine vs National Average
Maine school counselors earn 8.66% less than the national median ($-5,573/year difference).
Maine School Counselor Salary Distribution (2026)
School Counselor salaries in Maine range from $46,387 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $82,743 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $58,762. The Maine median is $5,573 below the US national median of $64,335. The average hourly rate is $28.25/hr. Approximately 1,105 school counselors are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,647
2025 BLS Actual
$57,581
2026 Current Est.
$58,762
2019–2027 Growth
+11.8%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Maine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,647 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,369 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,253 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,975 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,514 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,581 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,762 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,966 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maine metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 7.3% from $53,647 (2019) to $57,581 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,966 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,319 (11.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maine 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 Maine
Lowest Paying Cities in Maine
Best Value Cities for School Counselors in Maine
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maine cities offer the most purchasing power for school counselors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston | $59,505 | 94.736 | $62,811 |
| South Portland | $60,874 | 99.6 | $61,118 |
| Scarborough | $59,915 | 99.6 | $60,156 |
| Portland | $61,135 | 101.858 | $60,020 |
| Auburn | $59,489 | 99.6 | $59,728 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maine
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $46,387 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $58,762 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $82,743 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maine metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Maine
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland | $61,135 |
| 2 | South Portland | $60,874 |
| 3 | Scarborough | $59,915 |
| 4 | Lewiston | $59,505 |
| 5 | Auburn | $59,489 |
| 6 | Biddeford | $59,414 |
| 7 | Augusta | $59,216 |
| 8 | Sanford | $58,662 |
| 9 | Brunswick | $58,110 |
| 10 | Bangor | $51,675 |
More Maine Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore school counselor hourly pay in Maine cities.
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 Maine in 2026?
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How does Maine school counselor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level school counselor salary in Maine?
How many school counselors are employed in Maine?
Which Maine 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 Maine. 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