School Counselor Salary in Catonsville, MD: $65,794 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Catonsville, MD earns a median $65,794/year (≈ $31.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Catonsville's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $60,196 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For school counselors in Catonsville, Maryland, the 2026 median annual salary is projected at $65,794, reflecting a competitive position compared to national trends, where the median is $64,335. The salary range varies significantly, with entry-level positions (P10) starting around $48,724, while experienced professionals can earn up to $101,981 (P90). These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions. Given Catonsville’s school counselor-to-student ratio deviates from the American School Counselor Association's recommended 1:250, salaries may reflect the challenges and demands inherent in maintaining effective counseling services, especially in the wake of increased funding for mental health resources post-COVID.
About the Catonsville Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,724 | $23.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,668 | $25.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,794 | $31.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,216 | $40.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,981 | $49.02 |
Median Salary Position
2.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Catonsville
In Catonsville, MD, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,257 (2026 est.). At $65,794, the local median is 2.27% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Catonsville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Catonsville School Counselor Pay Compares
Catonsville median: $65,794/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Catonsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $68,894 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +2.27% more |
School Counselors in Catonsville, MD earn a median of $65,794 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.27% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 4.50% below the Maryland state average of $68,894.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Catonsville has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Catonsville, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,794 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,196 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,166
2025 BLS Actual
$64,472
2026 Current Est.
$65,794
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Catonsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,166 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,248 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,644 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,273 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,846 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,396 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,472 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,794 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,142 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Catonsville metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $57,166 (2019) to $64,472 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,142 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,976 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Catonsville 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) | $48,724 – $53,668 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,668 – $65,794 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,794 – $84,216 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,216 – $101,981 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Catonsville
The local job market shows a stable demand with only ten school counselors currently employed in the area. However, living in Catonsville comes with a cost, indicated by a cost-of-living index of 109.3, suggesting that take-home pay may not stretch as far as in lower-cost regions. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the highest salaries, driven by standard step-and-lane pay scales based on experience and educational advancement. Variations in school counselor pay can stem from factors like additional roles such as department heads or summer programs, which offer stipends for extra responsibilities. For those looking to increase their earnings in this area, pursuing continued education, obtaining higher degrees, or seeking roles in high-demand schools could provide significant financial benefits. In a competitive landscape, understanding these dynamics will be crucial for school counselors navigating their careers in Catonsville.
More salary data for Catonsville, MD:
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 $64,472 for school counselorsin the Catonsville 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 Catonsville 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