School Counselor Salary in Atlantic City, NJ: $75,927 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Atlantic City, NJ earns a median $75,927/year (≈ $36.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Atlantic City's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.9), that paycheck buys what $76,805 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% above the New Jersey state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Atlantic City, NJ can expect a median annual salary of $75,927, significantly higher than the national median of $64,335, illustrating a competitive market for these professionals in the local educational landscape. Salary ranges are quite broad, spanning from $54,345 at the 10th percentile to $106,439 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflects the importance of education and experience in determining pay scales. Counselors with master's degrees and further graduate coursework ($30 beyond their master’s degree) may find themselves positioned higher on the step-and-lane pay scale common in K-12 settings, catering to the unique needs of the district's diverse student population.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,345 | $26.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,996 | $30.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,927 | $36.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,579 | $46.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,439 | $51.18 |
Median Salary Position
18.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Atlantic City
In Atlantic City, NJ, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,094 (2026 est.). At $75,927, the local median is 18.02% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Atlantic City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Atlantic City School Counselor Pay Compares
Atlantic City median: $75,927/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Atlantic City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $72,658 | +4.50% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +18.02% more |
School Counselors in Atlantic City, NJ earn a median of $75,927 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.02% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 4.50% above the New Jersey state average of $72,658.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Atlantic City has a cost of living 1.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Atlantic City, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 98.857 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $75,927 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,805 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,600
2025 BLS Actual
$74,402
2026 Current Est.
$75,927
2019–2027 Growth
+-5.0%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Atlantic City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,402 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,927 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,484 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Atlantic City metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew -8.8% from $81,600 (2019) to $74,402 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,484 by 2027 — a total increase of $-4,116 (-5.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Atlantic City 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) | $54,345 – $63,996 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,996 – $75,927 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,927 – $96,579 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,579 – $106,439 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Atlantic City
In Atlantic City, there are approximately 330 school counselors employed, contributing to a robust local job market. The cost-of-living index stands at 98.857, which, being below the national average, enhances the purchasing power of salaries in the region. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer the most lucrative positions, though private and charter schools can also provide competitive pay. The disparity in salaries often stems from factors like district-specific pay scales linked to years of experience and educational attainment, as well as additional roles such as department heads or summer programs that can augment a counselor’s income. To maximize salary potential in Atlantic City, aspiring counselors should seek advanced certifications, leverage their positions in summer or extended-year programs, and actively engage in networking within the community to enhance their visibility and career growth.
More salary data for Atlantic City, NJ:
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 $74,402 for school counselorsin the Atlantic City 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