School Counselor Salary in Barnstable Town, MA: $80,828 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Barnstable Town, MA earns a median $80,828/year (≈ $38.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Barnstable Town's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.4), that paycheck buys what $82,183 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% above the Massachusetts state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Barnstable Town, Massachusetts, school counselors receive a robust median annual salary of $80,828, significantly exceeding the national figure of $64,335 for the same year. The salary range for this occupation spans from $64,106 at the 10th percentile to $106,130 at the 90th percentile, suggesting varied compensation based on experience and qualifications. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, reflects the increasing recognition of the importance of mental health services in schools, especially given the recent expansion of funding post-COVID. With a comparable counselor-to-student ratio hovering around 1:250, Barnstable Town's dedication to supporting student welfare is evident, signaling a strong demand for qualified professionals in educational settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,106 | $30.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,077 | $33.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,828 | $38.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,180 | $48.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,130 | $51.02 |
Median Salary Position
25.64% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Barnstable Town
In Barnstable Town, MA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,024 (2026 est.). At $80,828, the local median is 25.64% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Barnstable Town: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Barnstable Town School Counselor Pay Compares
Barnstable Town median: $80,828/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Barnstable Town Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $78,473 | +3.00% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +25.64% more |
School Counselors in Barnstable Town, MA earn a median of $80,828 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.64% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 3.00% above the Massachusetts state average of $78,473.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Barnstable Town has a cost of living 1.65% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Barnstable Town, MA has a cost-of-living index of 98.351 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $80,828 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,183 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.68% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,040
2025 BLS Actual
$79,204
2026 Current Est.
$80,828
2019–2027 Growth
+33.0%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Barnstable Town (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,204 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,828 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,485 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Barnstable Town metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 27.7% from $62,040 (2019) to $79,204 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,485 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,445 (32.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Barnstable Town 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) | $64,106 – $70,077 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,077 – $80,828 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,828 – $101,180 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,180 – $106,130 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Barnstable Town
Currently, about 250 school counselors work in Barnstable Town, creating a competitive job market amidst a cost-of-living index of 98.351, which is below the national average. This lower index suggests that while salaries are competitive, purchasing power can stretch farther for counselors compared to regions with a higher cost of living. Among the various employing entities, K-12 public school districts tend to offer some of the most advantageous pay structures, driven by a step-and-lane pay scale aligned with both years of experience and educational qualifications. Factors such as supplemental roles—like department heads or extracurricular advisors—can also influence earnings. To maximize compensation in Barnstable Town MA, school counselors should consider pursuing additional certifications and specialized roles, such as mental health or college counseling, which can further enhance their appeal and value within the educational landscape.
More salary data for Barnstable Town, MA:
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 $79,204 for school counselorsin the Barnstable Town 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