School Counselor Salary in Woodbury, MN: $65,457 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Woodbury, MN earns a median $65,457/year (≈ $31.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Woodbury's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $66,454 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Woodbury, Minnesota, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $65,457, slightly surpassing the national median salary of $64,335. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly, from $45,881 at the 10th percentile to $101,458 at the 90th percentile, indicative of the diverse roles and experiences that exist within the field. This compensation data, derived from 2025 BLS state-level figures adjusted for regional prices, highlights a competitive landscape in Woodbury where school counseling positions are in demand. Interestingly, with an actual student-to-counselor ratio that remains higher than the recommended 1:250, the job market signals opportunities for growth and stability within the profession, especially in light of recent increases in mental health funding for schools.
About the Woodbury Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,881 | $22.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,732 | $24.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,457 | $31.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,672 | $40.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,458 | $48.78 |
Median Salary Position
1.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Woodbury
In Woodbury, MN, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,577 (2026 est.). At $65,457, the local median is 1.74% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Woodbury: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Woodbury School Counselor Pay Compares
Woodbury median: $65,457/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Woodbury Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $64,617 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +1.74% more |
School Counselors in Woodbury, MN earn a median of $65,457 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.74% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 1.30% above the Minnesota state average of $64,617.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Woodbury 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.
Woodbury, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $65,457 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,454 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,873
2025 BLS Actual
$64,142
2026 Current Est.
$65,457
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Woodbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,873 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,333 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,964 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,858 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,142 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,457 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,799 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Woodbury metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $56,873 (2019) to $64,142 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,799 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,926 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Woodbury 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) | $45,881 – $51,732 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,732 – $65,457 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,457 – $83,672 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,672 – $101,458 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Woodbury
Examining the local job market, 18 school counselors are currently employed in Woodbury, indicating a stable workforce framework. The cost of living index for the area stands at 98.5, slightly below the national average, which can positively influence take-home pay and purchasing power for school counselors. Positions within K-12 public school districts, particularly in district leadership roles, tend to offer the most competitive salaries compared to private institutions and charter networks. The differences in compensation can largely be attributed to the standard step-and-lane pay scale used in many districts, where experience and education level significantly impact salary pathways. Counselors seeking to maximize their compensation in Woodbury are encouraged to pursue advanced degrees, consider taking on stipend roles such as club advisors, and engage in summer programs that often contribute additional earnings. With strategic moves within this pay structure, school counselors can enhance their overall financial outlook in a fruitful local market.
More salary data for Woodbury, MN:
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 $64,142 for school counselorsin the Woodbury 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 Woodbury 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