School Counselor Salary in Dover, NH: $65,414 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Dover, NH earns a median $65,414/year (≈ $31.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Dover's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $60,964 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Dover, NH, school counselors can expect a median annual salary of $65,414 in 2026, positioning them slightly above the national median of $64,335. This salary reflects local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and factors in regional cost adjustments, with a range stretching from $49,797 at the 10th percentile to $100,442 at the 90th percentile. Dover's current school counselor-to-student ratio exceeds the recommended 1:250 benchmark set by ASCA, which may indicate higher demand for counseling services, particularly in response to the mental health challenges that have been exacerbated in the wake of COVID-19. Such dynamics in the job market suggest a promising outlook for those entering or currently working in the field.
About the Dover Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,797 | $23.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,360 | $26.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,414 | $31.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,710 | $39.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,442 | $48.29 |
Median Salary Position
1.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dover
In Dover, NH, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,645 (2026 est.). At $65,414, the local median is 1.68% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dover: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dover School Counselor Pay Compares
Dover median: $65,414/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dover Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $67,646 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +1.68% more |
School Counselors in Dover, NH earn a median of $65,414 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.68% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 3.30% below the New Hampshire state average of $67,646.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dover has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dover, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,414 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,964 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,610
2025 BLS Actual
$64,100
2026 Current Est.
$65,414
2019–2027 Growth
+10.1%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,610 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,240 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,551 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,414 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,755 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dover metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 5.8% from $60,610 (2019) to $64,100 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,755 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,145 (10.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dover 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) | $49,797 – $54,360 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,360 – $65,414 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,414 – $81,710 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,710 – $100,442 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Dover
The local job market for school counselors is relatively stable, with only five professionals employed at the moment. However, the cost of living index in Dover is 107.3, indicative of higher housing and living costs compared to the national average. This means that while salaries appear competitive, take-home purchasing power can be significantly impacted by local expenses. Among employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer the most competitive compensation packages, particularly for those who advance through the step-and-lane pay scale based on experience and educational qualifications. To maximize their earnings, counselors can consider enhancing their education with advanced degrees such as a doctorate and seeking opportunities for additional stipends through leadership roles or summer programming.
More salary data for Dover, 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 $64,100 for school counselorsin the Dover 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 Dover 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