School Counselor Salary in Camden, NJ: $64,615 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Camden, NJ earns a median $64,615/year (≈ $31.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Camden's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $56,089 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.0% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Camden, NJ, school counselors earn a median salary of $64,615 in 2026, slightly above the national figure of $64,335. The salary range for counselors here shows considerable variation, stretching from $45,571 at the lower end to $100,153 for those at the higher end of the scale. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, highlight the need for robust support structures in schools. Given that the American School Counselor Association recommends a counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250, Camden’s ratios are critical indicators of workload and potential job satisfaction for school counselors.
About the Camden Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,571 | $21.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,278 | $24.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,615 | $31.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,707 | $39.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,153 | $48.15 |
Median Salary Position
0.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Camden
In Camden, NJ, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,582 (2026 est.). At $64,615, the local median is 0.44% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Camden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Camden School Counselor Pay Compares
Camden median: $64,615/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Camden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $72,601 | -11.00% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +0.44% more |
School Counselors in Camden, NJ earn a median of $64,615 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.44% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 11.00% below the New Jersey state average of $72,601.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Camden has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Camden, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,615 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,089 — a 13.2% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,142
2025 BLS Actual
$63,317
2026 Current Est.
$64,615
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Camden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,142 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,205 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,557 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,193 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,738 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,286 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,317 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,615 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,940 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Camden metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $56,142 (2019) to $63,317 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,940 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,798 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Camden 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) | $45,571 – $51,278 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,278 – $64,615 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,615 – $82,707 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,707 – $100,153 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Camden
The local job market currently employs 16 school counselors, which points to a tight community where opportunities can be limited but impactful. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, the expenses in Camden are higher than the national average, affecting the overall take-home pay for counselors in the area. Among various employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive salaries, although charter schools and private institutions may provide attractive benefits or supplemental pay opportunities. Variability in compensation can be influenced by experience, educational achievements, extended school year contracts, and additional roles teachers take, such as department heads or club advisors. For aspiring school counselors looking to maximize their pay, gaining experience and pursuing advanced qualifications can be strategic moves in a market marked by both growth and expense.
More salary data for Camden, 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 $63,317 for school counselorsin the Camden 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 Camden 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