School Counselor Salary in Jackson, NJ: $72,185 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Jackson, NJ earns a median $72,185/year (≈ $34.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Jackson's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $62,661 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Jackson, New Jersey, school counselors command a median annual salary of $72,185 as of 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $64,335, reflecting a 12.20% premium for local professionals. Salary ranges for school counselors in this area span from $48,046 at the 10th percentile to a maximum of $111,887 at the 90th percentile, providing substantial opportunities for advancement within the field. These figures are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors. Given the step-and-lane salary structure prevalent in K-12 education, counselors with advanced degrees, such as those who hold a master's plus 30 credits, tend to occupy higher salary columns, highlighting the significance of educational attainment in compensation.
About the Jackson Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,046 | $23.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,690 | $28.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,185 | $34.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,051 | $44.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,887 | $53.79 |
Median Salary Position
12.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jackson
In Jackson, NJ, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,841 (2026 est.). At $72,185, the local median is 12.2% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jackson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jackson School Counselor Pay Compares
Jackson median: $72,185/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jackson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $72,621 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +12.20% more |
School Counselors in Jackson, NJ earn a median of $72,185 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.20% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.60% below the New Jersey state average of $72,621.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jackson has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jackson, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $72,185 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,661 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,719
2025 BLS Actual
$70,735
2026 Current Est.
$72,185
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,719 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,907 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,535 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,128 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,854 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,882 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,735 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,185 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,665 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jackson metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $62,719 (2019) to $70,735 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,665 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,946 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson 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) | $48,046 – $59,690 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,690 – $72,185 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,185 – $92,051 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,051 – $111,887 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Jackson
The local job market features around 10 school counselors, indicating a stable, albeit small, community of professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, which exceeds the national average, it is essential for counselors to be mindful of their take-home pay, as housing and other expenses can significantly affect disposable income. In Jackson, potential employers that tend to offer higher salary packages include public K-12 school districts, where the step-and-lane scale is applied, along with charter schools and other educational institutions. Variations in pay are often driven by how districts value experience and education through their salary schedules, along with considerations like summer programming and stipends for additional roles. Thus, maximizing one's position in this market may involve seeking advanced qualifications or additional responsibilities that align with Jackson's educational institutions' financial structures.
More salary data for Jackson, 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 $70,735 for school counselorsin the Jackson 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 Jackson 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