School Counselor Salary in Woburn, MA: $74,650 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Woburn, MA earns a median $74,650/year (≈ $35.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Woburn's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $68,802 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Woburn, Massachusetts, school counselors can expect a median annual salary of $74,650 in 2026, slightly above the national figure of $64,335. The salary range for school counselors in this area reflects a wide disparity, with entry-level positions starting at $54,858 and experienced professionals earning as much as $115,707. These figures are drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, accounting for regional cost adjustments. Woburn’s salary figures highlight the competitiveness of the market, particularly given the city's adherence to a step-and-lane pay scale that aligns with educational qualifications and experience.
About the Woburn Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,858 | $26.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,921 | $28.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,650 | $35.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,524 | $45.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,707 | $55.63 |
Median Salary Position
16.03% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Woburn
In Woburn, MA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,849 (2026 est.). At $74,650, the local median is 16.03% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Woburn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Woburn School Counselor Pay Compares
Woburn median: $74,650/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Woburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $78,496 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +16.03% more |
School Counselors in Woburn, MA earn a median of $74,650 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.03% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 4.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $78,496.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Woburn has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Woburn, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,650 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $68,802 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,861
2025 BLS Actual
$73,150
2026 Current Est.
$74,650
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Woburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,861 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,089 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,806 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,386 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,171 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,583 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,650 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,180 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Woburn metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $64,861 (2019) to $73,150 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,180 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,319 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Woburn 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) | $54,858 – $58,921 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,921 – $74,650 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,650 – $94,524 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,524 – $115,707 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Woburn
The job market for school counselors in Woburn features a relatively small cohort, with only 10 employed professionals. The local cost of living index sits at 108.5, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, the expense of living in the area may impact take-home pay and overall purchasing power. Among the schools in Woburn, K-12 public districts are likely the largest employers, with potential for higher salaries linked to advanced degrees and experience. The spread in compensation can be attributed to the step-and-lane salary structure, which varies significantly based on educational attainment—such as placements for master's versus master's +30 degrees—as well as additional factors like extended year contracts and stipends for extra roles. For those in this field looking to maximize their school counselor pay in Woburn, pursuing further education, engaging in summer programs, or negotiating for stipends are practical strategies to consider.
More salary data for Woburn, 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 $73,150 for school counselorsin the Woburn 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 Woburn 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