School Counselor Salary in Helena, MT: $69,046 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Helena, MT earns a median $69,046/year (≈ $33.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Helena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $72,167 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.0% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Helena, Montana, the projected median annual salary for school counselors in 2026 is $69,046, reflecting a competitive position compared to the national median of $64,335. This figure indicates not only a healthy local job market but also the impact of increased mental health funding that has expanded hiring in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. School counselor salaries in the city range from $37,103 at the 10th percentile to $88,198 at the 90th percentile, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. As district priorities increasingly shift toward mental health support, opportunities for counselors in Helena continue to grow, making it an attractive prospect for new and seasoned professionals alike.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,103 | $17.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,844 | $22.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,046 | $33.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,517 | $38.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,198 | $42.40 |
Median Salary Position
7.32% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Helena
In Helena, MT, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,095 (2026 est.). At $69,046, the local median is 7.32% above the national median of $64,335.
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At 40 hours/week in Helena: You'd be above the median
How Helena School Counselor Pay Compares
Helena median: $69,046/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Helena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $61,103 | +13.00% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +7.32% more |
School Counselors in Helena, MT earn a median of $69,046 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.32% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 13.00% above the Montana state average of $61,103.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Helena has a cost of living 4.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Helena, MT has a cost-of-living index of 95.675 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $69,046 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,167 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,992
2025 BLS Actual
$67,659
2026 Current Est.
$69,046
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Helena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,992 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,128 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,641 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,252 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,903 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,659 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,046 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,461 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Helena metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $59,992 (2019) to $67,659 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,461 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,469 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Helena 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) | $37,103 – $45,844 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,844 – $69,046 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,046 – $79,517 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,517 – $88,198 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Helena
The job market for school counselors in Helena currently employs around 70 professionals, signaling steady demand within the education sector. With a cost-of-living index of 95.675, which is below the national average, take-home pay offers decent purchasing power for those working in the area. Among local employers, public K-12 school districts typically provide the highest salaries, particularly for those who advance through the step-and-lane pay structure that accounts for years of experience and education level. The disparity in pay is often driven by factors such as advanced degrees, extended school year contracts, and additional responsibilities like department head roles. For counselors looking to maximize their pay in Helena, pursuing further education and engaging in supplemental responsibilities can be effective strategies in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Helena, 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 $67,659 for school counselorsin the Helena 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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