School Counselor Salary in New Hampshire: $65,034 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Hampshire's 16 metropolitan areas, the average median school counselor pay sits at $65,034/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 21-1012. Because New Hampshire sits at BEA RPP 107.3 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $60,610 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Salem ($64,692), Merrimack ($64,609), Nashua ($64,171).
In 2026, school counselors in New Hampshire are projected to earn an average median salary of $65,034, slightly above the national median of $64,335 by 1.1%. The highest paying city in the state is Salem, where the salary is expected to reach $66,018, while Bedford has the lowest at $63,717, creating a salary gap of $1,301. This variation can be attributed to the cost of living, local funding for schools, and the demand for mental health services influencing salary levels across different cities. New Hampshire requires school counselors to hold a valid state license, typically necessitating a master's degree in school counseling and completion of specific examinations. The scope of practice laws provide guidance on the duties that counselors can perform, which can impact job responsibilities and compensation. With a projected annual compound growth rate of 2.05%, the job market for school counselors in New Hampshire appears stable and is expected to reflect increasing demand for mental health support in educational settings. In terms of salary projections for specific areas, Merrimack is expected to pay $65,933, followed by Nashua at $65,487, Dover at $65,414, and Londonderry at $65,125. Understanding these local factors can help prospective school counselors in New Hampshire make informed decisions about their career paths.
New Hampshire School Counselor Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Hampshire: $44,192 (lowest entry-level) to $102,329 (highest top earner)
New Hampshire vs National Average
New Hampshire school counselors earn 1.09% more than the national median (+$699/year difference).
New Hampshire School Counselor Salary Distribution (2026)
School Counselor salaries in New Hampshire range from $46,442 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $89,920 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $65,034. The New Hampshire median is $699 above the US national median of $64,335. The average hourly rate is $31.26/hr. Approximately 625 school counselors are employed across 16 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,659
2025 BLS Actual
$63,728
2026 Current Est.
$65,034
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in New Hampshire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,659 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,535 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,463 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,503 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,728 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,034 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,367 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Hampshire metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 6.8% from $59,659 (2019) to $63,728 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,367 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,708 (11.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Hampshire 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New Hampshire
Lowest Paying Cities in New Hampshire
Best Value Cities for School Counselors in New Hampshire
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Hampshire cities offer the most purchasing power for school counselors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $65,026 | 105.657 | $61,544 |
| Salem | $66,018 | 107.3 | $61,527 |
| Merrimack | $65,933 | 107.3 | $61,447 |
| Nashua | $65,487 | 107.3 | $61,032 |
| Dover | $65,414 | 107.3 | $60,964 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Hampshire
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $46,442 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $65,034 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $89,920 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Hampshire metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 16 Cities in New Hampshire
More New Hampshire Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced school counselors.
Explore More School Counselor Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in New Hampshire in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for school counselors in New Hampshire?
How does New Hampshire school counselor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level school counselor salary in New Hampshire?
How many school counselors are employed in New Hampshire?
Which New Hampshire city offers the best value for school counselors?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 school counselor compensation across New Hampshire. State averages are employment-weighted across 16 metro areas — larger metro areas with more school counselorscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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