School Counselor Salary in Mount Laurel, NJ: $69,284 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Mount Laurel, NJ earns a median $69,284/year (≈ $33.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Mount Laurel's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $60,142 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $69,284 for school counselors in Mount Laurel, NJ, this compensation reflects a competitive edge compared to the national median of $64,335. Salary estimates for 2026 indicate a wide range, with entry-level positions starting at $51,134 and experienced counselors earning up to $107,390. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic factors and cost of living. As a borough that prioritizes educational resources, the anticipated growth in school counseling roles aligns with the rising importance of mental health support, especially following the post-COVID funding influx aimed at enhancing student welfare.
About the Mount Laurel Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,134 | $24.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,455 | $27.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,284 | $33.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,992 | $42.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,390 | $51.63 |
Median Salary Position
7.69% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mount Laurel
In Mount Laurel, NJ, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,256 (2026 est.). At $69,284, the local median is 7.69% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mount Laurel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mount Laurel School Counselor Pay Compares
Mount Laurel median: $69,284/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mount Laurel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $72,625 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +7.69% more |
School Counselors in Mount Laurel, NJ earn a median of $69,284 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.69% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 4.60% below the New Jersey state average of $72,625.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mount Laurel has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mount Laurel, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $69,284 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,142 — a 13.19% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$60,198
2025 BLS Actual
$67,892
2026 Current Est.
$69,284
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Mount Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,198 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,338 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,127 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,109 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,892 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,284 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,704 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mount Laurel metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $60,198 (2019) to $67,892 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,704 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,506 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mount Laurel 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) | $51,134 – $56,455 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,455 – $69,284 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,284 – $87,992 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,992 – $107,390 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Mount Laurel
In Mount Laurel, the local job market for school counselors currently employs 11 professionals, presenting both opportunities and challenges. A cost-of-living index of 115.2 suggests that while salaries may appear enticing, the purchasing power could be impacted, necessitating a careful budget for those new to the field. Among the various education sectors—public K-12 schools, private and charter institutions, and post-secondary career-focused roles—the highest compensation is typically found within the larger public school districts, which utilize a step-and-lane salary structure based on experience and educational attainment. The disparity between higher and lower pay among counselors can often be attributed to factors like advanced degrees (master's+30 or doctorates), extended contracts, and various stipend opportunities for additional responsibilities, such as department head roles or after-school programs. For those seeking to maximize their salary in Mount Laurel, pursuing advanced certifications and gaining diverse experience can provide a significant advantage in a market that values educational credentials.
More salary data for Mount Laurel, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Mount Laurel, NJ in 2026?
Is Mount Laurel, NJ a good place to work as a school counselor?
Can school counselors make $100K in Mount Laurel?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted school counselor salary in Mount Laurel?
How much does a school counselor make per hour in Mount Laurel?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 $67,892 for school counselorsin the Mount Laurel 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 Mount Laurel 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