School Counselor Salary in Butte, MT: $59,394 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Butte, MT earns a median $59,394/year (≈ $28.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Butte's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $61,740 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a school counselor in Butte, Montana, is projected to earn a median annual salary of $59,394. This figure sits below the national median of $64,335, reflecting local market conditions and the area’s cost of living. The salary range for counselors in Butte spans from $40,810 at the 10th percentile to $92,061 at the 90th percentile, providing a clear picture of the potential earnings within this profession. Notably, educators in Butte are typically placed on a step-and-lane pay scale, where their compensation is influenced by their education level and years of service. For counselors with a master's degree or additional postgraduate work, such as a master's plus 30 credits, placement on this scale can significantly impact their overall salary outcome.
About the Butte Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,810 | $19.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,402 | $23.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,394 | $28.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,024 | $36.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,061 | $44.26 |
Median Salary Position
7.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Butte
In Butte, MT, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,251 (2026 est.). At $59,394, the local median is 7.68% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Butte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Butte School Counselor Pay Compares
Butte median: $59,394/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Butte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $61,105 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -7.68% less |
School Counselors in Butte, MT earn a median of $59,394 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.68% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.80% below the Montana state average of $61,105.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Butte has a cost of living 3.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Butte, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $59,394 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,740 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,606
2025 BLS Actual
$58,201
2026 Current Est.
$59,394
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Butte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,606 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,583 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,745 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,831 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,094 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,201 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,394 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,612 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Butte metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $51,606 (2019) to $58,201 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,612 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,006 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Butte 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) | $40,810 – $48,402 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,402 – $59,394 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,394 – $76,024 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,024 – $92,061 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Butte
Analyzing the local job market reveals that only seven school counselors are currently employed in Butte, MT, indicating a relative scarcity of these roles compared to demand. With a cost-of-living index of 96.2, the purchasing power for salaries here is greater than the national average, though it still presents challenges for potential counselors, particularly those at the lower end of the pay scale. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer the highest salaries compared to private schools or charter organizations, largely due to the step-and-lane structure typical in educational settings. Factors such as advanced degrees, years of experience, and participation in summer or extended school year contracts play a significant role in differentiating pay levels. Counselors in Butte looking to enhance their earnings should consider pursuing additional qualifications and actively seeking roles that offer stipends for extracurricular responsibilities or administrative duties, as these can substantially boost overall compensation in a competitive local job market.
More salary data for Butte, MT:
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 $58,201 for school counselorsin the Butte 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 Butte 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