School Counselor Salary in New Bedford, MA: $79,047 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in New Bedford, MA earns a median $79,047/year (≈ $38.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in New Bedford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $72,854 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a school counselor salary in New Bedford, Massachusetts, is projected to average around $79,047, reflecting a significant 22.87% increase compared to the national median of $64,335. With the growing focus on mental health initiatives following the COVID pandemic, local hiring has expanded, creating a favorable outlook for education professionals. The salary range for school counselors in the area is estimated between $57,305 and $122,522, indicating a wide disparity in compensation based on experience and qualifications. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional pricing, highlighting New Bedford’s unique economic context and its attractiveness for skilled counseling professionals keen on serving the community.
About the New Bedford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,305 | $27.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,119 | $30.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,047 | $38.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,181 | $48.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,522 | $58.90 |
Median Salary Position
22.87% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Bedford
In New Bedford, MA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,217 (2026 est.). At $79,047, the local median is 22.87% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Bedford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Bedford School Counselor Pay Compares
New Bedford median: $79,047/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Bedford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $78,497 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +22.87% more |
School Counselors in New Bedford, MA earn a median of $79,047 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.87% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.70% above the Massachusetts state average of $78,497.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Bedford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Bedford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,047 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,854 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,690
2025 BLS Actual
$77,459
2026 Current Est.
$79,047
2019–2027 Growth
+15.8%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in New Bedford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,447 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,459 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,047 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,667 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Bedford metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 11.1% from $69,690 (2019) to $77,459 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,667 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,977 (15.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Bedford 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) | $57,305 – $64,119 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,119 – $79,047 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,047 – $101,181 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,181 – $122,522 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in New Bedford
Currently, New Bedford employs 24 school counselors, establishing a robust local job market for this occupation. The cost-of-living index stands at 108.5, suggesting that while salaries are relatively competitive, they must be weighed against living expenses, impacting the overall take-home pay. Among various employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer the most substantial compensation, adhering to the standard step-and-lane pay structure used across Massachusetts. The salary scale varies based on experience, education level, and additional responsibilities, such as overseeing summer programs or serving in leadership roles, allowing counselors to enhance their earnings. For those looking to maximize their school counselor pay in New Bedford MA, pursuing higher degrees or additional certifications can lead to placement in higher salary brackets, aligning closer to the prevailing regional market trends.
More salary data for New Bedford, 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 $77,459 for school counselorsin the New Bedford 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 New Bedford 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