School Counselor Salary in Hagerstown, MD: $65,026 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Hagerstown, MD earns a median $65,026/year (≈ $31.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Hagerstown's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.2), that paycheck buys what $69,051 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.6% below the Maryland state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Hagerstown, Maryland, earn a median annual salary of $65,026, slightly above the national median of $64,335. The salary range showcases significant disparities; entry-level positions start at $41,994, while more experienced counselors can earn up to $96,098. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected for 2026, reflects Hagerstown’s adherence to a step-and-lane pay scale that is common in K-12 public school districts, where compensation typically varies depending on years of experience and educational attainment, including qualifications such as a master's degree or advanced credits. With this funding support, the job market for school counselors remains competitive, particularly in light of ongoing mental health initiatives post-COVID that have accelerated hiring within schools.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,994 | $20.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,675 | $26.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,026 | $31.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,636 | $36.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,098 | $46.21 |
Median Salary Position
1.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hagerstown
In Hagerstown, MD, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,104 (2026 est.). At $65,026, the local median is 1.07% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hagerstown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hagerstown School Counselor Pay Compares
Hagerstown median: $65,026/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hagerstown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $68,884 | -5.60% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +1.07% more |
School Counselors in Hagerstown, MD earn a median of $65,026 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.07% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 5.60% below the Maryland state average of $68,884.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hagerstown has a cost of living 5.83% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hagerstown, MD has a cost-of-living index of 94.171 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $65,026 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,051 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,910
2025 BLS Actual
$63,720
2026 Current Est.
$65,026
2019–2027 Growth
+2.2%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Hagerstown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,026 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,359 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hagerstown metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew -1.8% from $64,910 (2019) to $63,720 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,359 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,449 (2.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hagerstown 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) | $41,994 – $54,675 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,675 – $65,026 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,026 – $75,636 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,636 – $96,098 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Hagerstown
The local job market supports around 180 school counselors, situating Hagerstown in a favorable position given the area's cost-of-living index of 94.171, which is below the national average. This lower cost of living translates to enhanced purchasing power for school counselor salaries, allowing professionals to enjoy a higher standard of living relative to their pay. The highest-paying employers in Hagerstown include K-12 public school districts, which typically offer the best compensation packages due to their structured salary guidelines. Factors contributing to the wide pay range include experience level, additional roles such as department heads or club advisors, and the specific school district's budget for extended contracts, summer programs, and stipends. To maximize earning potential, school counselors should consider pursuing advanced education and seeking out positions in districts that prioritize mental health, following ASCA recommendations for counselor-to-student ratios.
More salary data for Hagerstown, 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 $63,720 for school counselorsin the Hagerstown 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