School Counselor Salary in Maryland: $73,343 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maryland's 28 metropolitan areas, the average median school counselor pay sits at $73,343/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 21-1012. Because Maryland sits at BEA RPP 109.3 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $67,102 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lexington Park ($75,195), Columbia ($74,566), Baltimore ($73,245).
Navigating the landscape of school counselor salaries in Maryland reveals a promising outlook for professionals in this field. The average median salary for school counselors in the state is projected to be $73,343 in 2026, which is significantly higher than the national median of $64,335, indicating a 14.0% premium for Maryland counselors. The salary range varies considerably across different cities, with Lexington Park offering the highest salary at $76,736, while Salisbury presents the lowest at $60,866. This disparity is primarily driven by factors such as cost of living, school district funding, and regional demand for counseling services. In Maryland, school counselors are required to meet specific state licensing requirements and adhere to defined scope of practice laws. These regulations can influence salary levels as they affect the qualifications and responsibilities outlined for counselors. The job market for school counselors in Maryland is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.05%, reflecting a steady increase in demand likely fueled by a heightened focus on student mental health and academic support. A total of 3,903 school counselors are expected to be employed throughout the state, underscoring a solid job market for those considering a career in this field.
Maryland School Counselor Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maryland: $40,714 (lowest entry-level) to $117,946 (highest top earner)
Maryland vs National Average
Maryland school counselors earn 14.00% more than the national median (+$9,008/year difference).
Maryland School Counselor Salary Distribution (2026)
School Counselor salaries in Maryland range from $47,536 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $105,768 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $73,343. The Maryland median is $9,008 above the US national median of $64,335. The average hourly rate is $35.26/hr. Approximately 3,903 school counselors are employed across 28 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,574
2025 BLS Actual
$71,870
2026 Current Est.
$73,343
2019–2027 Growth
+17.7%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Maryland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,574 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,240 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,163 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,043 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,605 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,683 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,870 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,343 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,846 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 13.0% from $63,574 (2019) to $71,870 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,846 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,272 (17.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland 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 Maryland
Lowest Paying Cities in Maryland
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Salisbury | $60,866 |
| Cumberland | $63,785 |
| Hagerstown | $65,026 |
| Greenbelt | $65,247 |
| Laurel | $65,463 |
Best Value Cities for School Counselors in Maryland
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maryland cities offer the most purchasing power for school counselors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington Park | $76,736 | 100.76 | $76,157 |
| Baltimore | $74,747 | 104.487 | $71,537 |
| Columbia | $76,095 | 109.3 | $69,620 |
| Hagerstown | $65,026 | 94.171 | $69,051 |
| Towson | $74,457 | 109.3 | $68,122 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $47,536 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $73,343 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $105,768 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maryland metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 28 Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington Park | $76,736 |
| 2 | Columbia | $76,095 |
| 3 | Baltimore | $74,747 |
| 4 | Towson | $74,457 |
| 5 | Aspen Hill | $69,869 |
| 6 | Gaithersburg | $69,415 |
| 7 | Germantown | $69,366 |
| 8 | Ellicott City | $69,208 |
| 9 | Waldorf | $69,138 |
| 10 | Wheaton | $68,903 |
| 11 | Bowie | $68,576 |
| 12 | Glen Burnie | $68,362 |
| 13 | Frederick | $67,418 |
| 14 | Annapolis | $67,404 |
| 15 | Severn | $67,402 |
| 16 | College Park | $67,270 |
| 17 | Rockville | $67,184 |
| 18 | Silver Spring | $67,151 |
| 19 | Potomac | $66,832 |
| 20 | Bethesda | $66,561 |
| 21 | Dundalk | $66,561 |
| 22 | Odenton | $66,335 |
| 23 | Catonsville | $65,794 |
| 24 | Laurel | $65,463 |
| 25 | Greenbelt | $65,247 |
| 26 | Hagerstown | $65,026 |
| 27 | Cumberland | $63,785 |
| 28 | Salisbury | $60,866 |
More Maryland Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore school counselor hourly pay in Maryland cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced school counselors.
Compare Cities in Maryland
View all comparisons →Explore More School Counselor Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Maryland in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for school counselors in Maryland?
How does Maryland school counselor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level school counselor salary in Maryland?
How many school counselors are employed in Maryland?
Which Maryland 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 Maryland. State averages are employment-weighted across 28 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