School Counselor Salary in Missoula, MT: $50,865 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Missoula, MT earns a median $50,865/year (≈ $24.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Missoula's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $52,740 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.8% below the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Missoula, Montana, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $50,865, reflecting a significant gap when compared to the national median of $64,335. With a salary range spanning from $44,754 at the 10th percentile to $82,097 at the 90th percentile, this data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected forward to 2026. Within the context of a salary structure that mirrors the step-and-lane modeled after K-12 teachers, counselors in Missoula find their placement influenced by their educational credentials—those with a master’s degree typically see lower placements than their colleagues with additional qualifications, such as a master's plus 30 credits or a doctorate. The competitive landscape for school counselor pay in Missoula also illustrates how local districts are adapting to the increasing demand for mental health resources in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, creating a fluid market for skilled professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,754 | $21.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,275 | $22.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,865 | $24.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,657 | $37.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,097 | $39.47 |
Median Salary Position
20.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Missoula
In Missoula, MT, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,343 (2026 est.). At $50,865, the local median is 20.94% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Missoula: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Missoula School Counselor Pay Compares
Missoula median: $50,865/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Missoula Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $61,136 | -16.80% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -20.94% less |
School Counselors in Missoula, MT earn a median of $50,865 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.94% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 16.80% below the Montana state average of $61,136.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Missoula has a cost of living 3.56% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Missoula, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.445 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $50,865 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,740 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,520
2025 BLS Actual
$49,843
2026 Current Est.
$50,865
2019–2027 Growth
+14.0%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Missoula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,520 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,843 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,865 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,908 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missoula metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 9.5% from $45,520 (2019) to $49,843 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,908 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,388 (14.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missoula 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) | $44,754 – $47,275 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,275 – $50,865 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,865 – $77,657 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,657 – $82,097 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Missoula
The job market for school counselors in Missoula consists of approximately 100 employed professionals, with the cost of living index sitting at a modest 96.445, hinting at a more favorable living situation compared to the national average. This environment impacts take-home purchasing power, making local salaries relatively more appealing despite the lower pay scale. Public K-12 school districts tend to dominate employment opportunities, yet charter schools and private institutions also contribute to the workforce, with varied pay structures often arising from the extended contracts for seasonal summer programs and stipend roles like department heads and club advisors. Factors such as years of experience, level of education, and specific roles within the district further widen the salary differential. For those keen to maximize their school counselor pay in Missoula, pursuing additional qualifications, actively participating in professional development, and seeking roles within institutions that offer enhanced compensation packages can prove beneficial.
More salary data for Missoula, 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 $49,843 for school counselorsin the Missoula 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, 7-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