School Counselor Salary in Lakewood, NJ: $72,065 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Lakewood, NJ earns a median $72,065/year (≈ $34.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $62,556 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Among school counselors in Lakewood, NJ, the projected median annual salary for 2026 is $72,065, surpassing the national median of $64,335 by 12.02%. This salary reflects a range from $50,534 at the 10th percentile to $111,700 at the 90th percentile, based on local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living factors. With the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) recommending a counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250, the current hiring climate in Lakewood—where school counselors are increased due to mental health funding initiatives post-COVID—indicates that the local job market is becoming both competitive and rewarding for professionals in this field.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,534 | $24.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,160 | $27.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,065 | $34.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,243 | $44.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,700 | $53.70 |
Median Salary Position
12.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, NJ, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,166 (2026 est.). At $72,065, the local median is 12.02% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood School Counselor Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $72,065/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $72,646 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +12.02% more |
School Counselors in Lakewood, NJ earn a median of $72,065 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.02% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.80% below the New Jersey state average of $72,646.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $72,065 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,556 — a 13.2% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,615
2025 BLS Actual
$70,617
2026 Current Est.
$72,065
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,615 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,424 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,018 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,741 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,726 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,617 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,065 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,542 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $62,615 (2019) to $70,617 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,542 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,927 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $50,534 – $57,160 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,160 – $72,065 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,065 – $92,243 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,243 – $111,700 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Lakewood
Lakewood employs 31 school counselors, illustrating a stable demand in the local job market. The cost of living index sits at 115.2, above the national average, impacting take-home purchasing power for these professionals. The highest-paying roles for school counselors in the area are typically found within K-12 public school districts, which follow a step-and-lane pay scale that factors years of experience and education levels. The disparity in salaries is influenced by various factors, including district-specific budgets for mental health programs, additional stipends for extracurricular roles, and positions requiring advanced degrees such as master's plus 30 credits or a doctorate. To maximize school counselor pay in Lakewood, pursuing additional qualifications and engaging in summer programs or leadership roles can yield better financial outcomes while enhancing professional development.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 $70,617 for school counselorsin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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