School Counselor Salary in Waltham, MA: $76,351 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Waltham, MA earns a median $76,351/year (≈ $36.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Waltham's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $70,370 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The 2026 median annual salary for school counselors in Waltham, Massachusetts, is projected to reach $76,351, outpacing the national average of $64,335 by approximately 18.68%. This robust salary range spans from $54,679 at the low end (P10) to a high of $118,343 (P90), reflecting both the increased demand for mental health support in schools and the expanding funding for counselor positions in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and account for local economic conditions, which influence the compensation landscape. As the city bolsters its mental health initiatives, Waltham's market for school counseling positions is becoming increasingly competitive.
About the Waltham Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,679 | $26.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,214 | $29.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,351 | $36.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,729 | $46.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,343 | $56.89 |
Median Salary Position
18.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waltham
In Waltham, MA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,664 (2026 est.). At $76,351, the local median is 18.68% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waltham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waltham School Counselor Pay Compares
Waltham median: $76,351/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waltham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $78,469 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +18.68% more |
School Counselors in Waltham, MA earn a median of $76,351 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.68% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 2.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $78,469.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waltham has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waltham, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,351 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,370 — a 7.83% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$66,339
2025 BLS Actual
$74,817
2026 Current Est.
$76,351
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Waltham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,339 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,595 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,374 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,944 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,464 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,817 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,351 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,916 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waltham metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $66,339 (2019) to $74,817 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,916 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,577 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waltham 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) | $54,679 – $61,214 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,214 – $76,351 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,351 – $97,729 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,729 – $118,343 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Waltham
A total of 11 school counselors are currently employed in Waltham, demonstrating a healthy demand for these professionals amid a cost-of-living index of 108.5, which indicates that living expenses are above the national average. This higher cost of living can impact take-home pay and purchasing power for counselors in the area. Employers such as K-12 public school districts generally offer salaries aligned with the step-and-lane pay scale, which is determined by years of experience and educational level. To maximize earning potential, counselors might consider advancing their qualifications or seeking roles in specialized areas that often come with higher stipends, such as department chairs or summer programs. Understanding this local context can be essential for effectively negotiating salary and career progression in Waltham, MA.
More salary data for Waltham, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Waltham, MA in 2026?
Is Waltham, MA a good place to work as a school counselor?
Can school counselors make $100K in Waltham?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted school counselor salary in Waltham?
How much does a school counselor make per hour in Waltham?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $74,817 for school counselorsin the Waltham 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 Waltham 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