School Counselor Salary in Clifton, NJ: $71,287 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Clifton, NJ earns a median $71,287/year (≈ $34.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Clifton's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $61,881 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median school counselor salary in Clifton, NJ is projected to reach $71,287, reflecting a commitment to enhancing mental health resources in schools following the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding expansion has led to increased hiring efforts, promoting a positive growth trajectory in the area. The salary range for school counselors in Clifton varies significantly, from $52,020 at the 10th percentile to $110,495 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse range of compensation based on experience and educational background. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for local cost of living factors, highlight Clifton's competitive position in offering school counselor pay that exceeds the national median of $64,335 by approximately 10.81%.
About the Clifton Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,020 | $25.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,880 | $27.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,287 | $34.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,839 | $43.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,495 | $53.13 |
Median Salary Position
10.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clifton
In Clifton, NJ, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,475 (2026 est.). At $71,287, the local median is 10.81% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clifton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clifton School Counselor Pay Compares
Clifton median: $71,287/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clifton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $72,668 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +10.81% more |
School Counselors in Clifton, NJ earn a median of $71,287 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.81% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 1.90% below the New Jersey state average of $72,668.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clifton has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clifton, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $71,287 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,881 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,939
2025 BLS Actual
$69,855
2026 Current Est.
$71,287
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Clifton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,939 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,112 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,707 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,305 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,715 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,855 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,287 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,748 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clifton metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $61,939 (2019) to $69,855 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,748 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,809 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clifton 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) | $52,020 – $57,880 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,880 – $71,287 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,287 – $89,839 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,839 – $110,495 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Clifton
The local job market presents opportunities for 14 employed school counselors, yet the high cost of living, indicated by a cost of living index of 115.2, impacts overall purchasing power. While many counselors find employment in K-12 public school districts, the opportunity for elevated compensation exists within charter schools and certain private institutions especially focused on delivering quality mental health support. Variability in salary stems from factors such as the step-and-lane pay scale based on experience levels, coupled with the cost-of-living premiums that are prevalent in Clifton. Counselors looking to maximize their pay should prioritize further education such as obtaining a doctorate or pursuing roles with stipends for additional responsibilities, along with engaging in summer programs or extended school year contracts to enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Clifton, 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 $69,855 for school counselorsin the Clifton 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 Clifton 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