School Counselor Salary in Bangor, ME: $51,675 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Bangor, ME earns a median $51,675/year (≈ $24.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Bangor's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.5), that paycheck buys what $53,545 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.7% below the Maine state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bangor, ME, school counselors can anticipate a median annual salary of $51,675 in 2026, which puts them at nearly 20% below the national median of $64,335. Salaries for this profession in the region range from $45,084 at the 10th percentile to $78,817 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data. The step-and-lane salary structure typical across K-12 education ensures that compensation varies with both years of experience and educational attainment, with those holding a Master’s plus 30 credits often landing higher on the pay scale. Given Bangor's current employment of about 250 school counselors, the local market reflects a modest growth rate of 2.05%, influenced by post-COVID funding increases aimed at addressing mental health crises in schools.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,084 | $21.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,514 | $22.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,675 | $24.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,335 | $30.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,817 | $37.89 |
Median Salary Position
19.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bangor
In Bangor, ME, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,733 (2026 est.). At $51,675, the local median is 19.68% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bangor: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Bangor School Counselor Pay Compares
Bangor median: $51,675/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bangor Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $62,789 | -17.70% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -19.68% less |
School Counselors in Bangor, ME earn a median of $51,675 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.68% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 17.70% below the Maine state average of $62,789.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bangor has a cost of living 3.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bangor, ME has a cost-of-living index of 96.508 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $51,675 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,545 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,480
2025 BLS Actual
$50,637
2026 Current Est.
$51,675
2019–2027 Growth
+8.8%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Bangor (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,637 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,675 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,734 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bangor metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 4.4% from $48,480 (2019) to $50,637 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,734 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,254 (8.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bangor 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) | $45,084 – $46,514 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,514 – $51,675 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,675 – $64,335 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,335 – $78,817 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Bangor
The job market for school counselors in Bangor is stable, with the employment of 250 professionals providing a solid base for future growth. The relatively low cost of living, indicated by a cost-of-living index of 96.508, affords school counselors in this area a reasonable purchasing power compared to national averages. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive salaries, aligning with the statewide step-and-lane pay structure for educational professionals. Variations in pay are driven by multiple factors, including experience levels, degree enhancements, and additional roles like summer programming or department leadership positions. For those aiming to maximize school counselor pay in Bangor, pursuing advanced certifications or taking on extra responsibilities can be effective strategies, especially given the expanding mental health initiatives supporting counseling roles in schools.
More salary data for Bangor, ME:
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 $50,637 for school counselorsin the Bangor 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