School Counselor Salary in Derry, NH: $64,931 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Derry, NH earns a median $64,931/year (≈ $31.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Derry's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $60,514 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Derry, New Hampshire, the median annual salary for school counselors is projected to be $64,931 in 2026, a figure slightly above the national median of $64,335. This increase can be attributed to the expansion of mental health funding following the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to increased hiring in local schools. The salary range for school counselors in Derry spans from $48,642 at the 10th percentile to $100,644 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay scale that reflects varying levels of experience and education. These salary estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional living costs, which stands at a higher-than-average index of 107.3, highlighting the local economic context and its implications for compensation.
About the Derry Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,642 | $23.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,376 | $25.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,931 | $31.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,113 | $39.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,644 | $48.38 |
Median Salary Position
0.93% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Derry
In Derry, NH, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,002 (2026 est.). At $64,931, the local median is 0.93% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Derry: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Derry School Counselor Pay Compares
Derry median: $64,931/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Derry Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $67,637 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +0.93% more |
School Counselors in Derry, NH earn a median of $64,931 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.93% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 4.00% below the New Hampshire state average of $67,637.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Derry has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Derry, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,931 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,514 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,417
2025 BLS Actual
$63,627
2026 Current Est.
$64,931
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Derry (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,417 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,485 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,849 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,483 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,036 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,031 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,627 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,931 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,262 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Derry metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $56,417 (2019) to $63,627 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,262 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,845 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Derry 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) | $48,642 – $53,376 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,376 – $64,931 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,931 – $83,113 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,113 – $100,644 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Derry
The job market for school counselors in Derry is relatively stable, with seven professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living requires an evaluation of how far salaries stretch in practical terms. School counselor pay in Derry, NH, can be significantly influenced by numerous factors, including step-and-lane pay scales seen in K-12 public schools, where salary is often determined by years of experience and education level. Furthermore, those who hold advanced degrees may find themselves on higher salary columns. To maximize compensation, school counselors should consider seeking positions in K-12 districts known for competitive salaries, participating in extended school year contracts, and pursuing stipends for additional roles like department heads or club advisors. This strategic positioning can enhance overall pay and align more closely with the national recommendations for counselor-to-student ratios, given the increasing workload in the mental health realm within educational settings.
More salary data for Derry, NH:
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 $63,627 for school counselorsin the Derry 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 Derry 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