School Counselor Salary in Montclair, NJ: $71,916 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Montclair, NJ earns a median $71,916/year (≈ $34.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Montclair's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $62,427 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Montclair, NJ, where the recommended ASCA counselor-to-student ratio is 1:250, the local reality shows that hiring efforts are in line with the national trends of expanded mental health funding post-COVID. The projected median annual salary for school counselors in 2026 is $71,916, which exceeds the national median of $64,335 by 11.78%. Salaries in this role can range from $51,350 at the lower end to $111,396 for top earners, illustrating a diverse earning potential influenced by various factors, including experience and educational background. These figures are informed by estimates based on 2025 BLS data, reflecting local cost structures and market conditions that make Montclair's compensation competitive in the broader landscape of school counseling.
About the Montclair Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,350 | $24.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,261 | $28.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,916 | $34.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,206 | $43.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,396 | $53.56 |
Median Salary Position
11.78% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montclair
In Montclair, NJ, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,046 (2026 est.). At $71,916, the local median is 11.78% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Montclair: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Montclair School Counselor Pay Compares
Montclair median: $71,916/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Montclair Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $72,642 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +11.78% more |
School Counselors in Montclair, NJ earn a median of $71,916 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.78% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 1.00% below the New Jersey state average of $72,642.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Montclair has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Montclair, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $71,916 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,427 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,485
2025 BLS Actual
$70,471
2026 Current Est.
$71,916
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Montclair (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,485 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,668 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,286 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,881 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,601 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,532 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,471 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,916 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,390 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montclair metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $62,485 (2019) to $70,471 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,390 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,905 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montclair 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) | $51,350 – $60,261 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,261 – $71,916 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,916 – $90,206 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,206 – $111,396 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Montclair
The job market for school counselors in Montclair is relatively small but stable, with around 10 professionals currently employed in the area. Given the cost-of-living index of 115.2, salaries must accommodate higher living expenses, which impacts take-home pay significantly. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts generally provide the most competitive salaries, especially when factoring in the district's step-and-lane pay scales that reward years of experience and advanced degrees. The substantial salary variation is often driven by educational qualifications, the availability of supplemental roles such as club advisor or department head, and extended contracts that can add to a counselor's annual earnings. To enhance school counselor pay in Montclair, professionals may consider pursuing advanced certifications, seeking out leadership roles, or participating in summer programs that provide additional compensation, all of which can help maximize their earning potential in this unique market.
More salary data for Montclair, 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 $70,471 for school counselorsin the Montclair 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 Montclair 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