School Counselor Salary in Blaine, MN: $62,734 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Blaine, MN earns a median $62,734/year (≈ $30.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Blaine's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $63,689 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Blaine, Minnesota, school counselors earn a projected median annual salary of $62,734 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $64,335. The salary range spans from $44,719 at the 10th percentile to $97,238 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse experiences and educational backgrounds within the field. Notably, Blaine's school counselor-to-student ratio is significantly above the American School Counselor Association's recommended 1:250, which indicates a demand for counselors in this area. This dynamic presents both challenges and opportunities in the local job market, particularly as funding for mental health support in schools has expanded following recent national trends.
About the Blaine Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,719 | $21.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,140 | $24.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,734 | $30.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,300 | $38.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,238 | $46.75 |
Median Salary Position
2.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Blaine
In Blaine, MN, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,519 (2026 est.). At $62,734, the local median is 2.49% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Blaine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Blaine School Counselor Pay Compares
Blaine median: $62,734/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Blaine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $64,608 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -2.49% less |
School Counselors in Blaine, MN earn a median of $62,734 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.49% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.90% below the Minnesota state average of $64,608.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Blaine has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Blaine, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $62,734 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,689 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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
$54,508
2025 BLS Actual
$61,474
2026 Current Est.
$62,734
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Blaine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,508 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,824 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,953 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,474 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,734 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,020 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Blaine metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $54,508 (2019) to $61,474 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,020 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,512 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Blaine 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) | $44,719 – $50,140 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,140 – $62,734 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,734 – $80,300 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,300 – $97,238 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Blaine
As of 2026, there are 18 school counselors employed in Blaine, underscoring a relatively stable local job market for this profession. The city's cost-of-living index sits at 98.5, which is below the national average, suggesting that counselors may experience better purchasing power with their salaries compared to higher-cost urban areas. Within Blaine, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive salaries, followed by charter schools and private institutions. The variance in pay can often be attributed to the step-and-lane pay structure prevalent in many districts, influenced by experience and educational attainment, as well as specific roles such as department heads or those participating in summer programs. For those looking to optimize their earning potential, pursuing advanced degrees beyond a master's and seeking leadership roles can be effective strategies in the Blaine school counselor market.
More salary data for Blaine, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Blaine, MN in 2026?
Is Blaine, MN a good place to work as a school counselor?
Can school counselors make $100K in Blaine?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted school counselor salary in Blaine?
How much does a school counselor make per hour in Blaine?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Minnesota
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 $61,474 for school counselorsin the Blaine 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 Blaine 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