School Counselor Salary in Natick, MA: $75,551 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Natick, MA earns a median $75,551/year (≈ $36.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Natick's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $69,632 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
As projections indicate for 2026, school counselors in Natick, Massachusetts, earn a median annual salary of $75,551, which is notably higher than the national figure of $64,335 by 17.43%. The salary range spans from $56,916 at the 10th percentile to $117,103 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a robust compensation structure for professionals in this field. Notably, the region's strong focus on mental health funding post-COVID aims to improve counselor-to-student ratios. This attention to mental health needs reflects the reality of a local school environment that may not meet the ASCA recommended ratio of 1:250, but one that is evolving with increased hiring driven by recent funding efforts.
About the Natick Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,916 | $27.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,415 | $30.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,551 | $36.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,944 | $45.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,103 | $56.30 |
Median Salary Position
17.43% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Natick
In Natick, MA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,187 (2026 est.). At $75,551, the local median is 17.43% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Natick: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Natick School Counselor Pay Compares
Natick median: $75,551/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Natick Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $78,453 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +17.43% more |
School Counselors in Natick, MA earn a median of $75,551 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.43% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 3.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $78,453.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Natick has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Natick, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,551 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,632 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,643
2025 BLS Actual
$74,033
2026 Current Est.
$75,551
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Natick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,643 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,886 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,637 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,211 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,018 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,033 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,551 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,099 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Natick metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $65,643 (2019) to $74,033 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,099 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,456 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Natick 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) | $56,916 – $62,415 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,415 – $75,551 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,551 – $93,944 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,944 – $117,103 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Natick
The job market for school counseling roles in Natick shows considerable strength, with five professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 108.5, indicating that the purchasing power for take-home salaries may be somewhat impacted by local expenses. Among employment opportunities, K-12 public school districts generally offer the highest pay, adhering to a step-and-lane salary structure influenced by experience and education level. Factors such as higher living costs and the varying levels of education (master’s vs. advanced degrees) contribute to the pay discrepancies, especially with options for summer contracts and stipended roles available. To maximize compensation, aspiring counselors should focus on gaining advanced credentials and seeking positions in schools that prioritize mental health, which may offer additional financial opportunities through expanded roles or programs.
More salary data for Natick, 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 $74,033 for school counselorsin the Natick 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 Natick 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