School Counselor Salary in Sayreville, NJ: $70,575 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Sayreville, NJ earns a median $70,575/year (≈ $33.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Sayreville's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $61,263 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sayreville, NJ, the projected median annual compensation for school counselors in 2026 is anticipated to reach $70,575, which reflects a competitive edge over the national median of $64,335. With salaries ranging from $48,474 at the lower percentiles to $109,390 for the top earners, this data illustrates a significant salary variance tied to experience and education levels. The current school counselor-to-student ratio in Sayreville, although not optimal, offers a glimpse into a supportive educational environment where counselors are valued in the wake of expanded mental health funding post-COVID. The demand for professional school counselors is expected to grow steadily, mirroring the national trend of increased hiring as districts aim to align more closely with the ASCA's recommended 1:250 ratio.
About the Sayreville Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,474 | $23.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,500 | $27.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,575 | $33.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,336 | $43.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,390 | $52.60 |
Median Salary Position
9.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sayreville
In Sayreville, NJ, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,916 (2026 est.). At $70,575, the local median is 9.7% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sayreville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sayreville School Counselor Pay Compares
Sayreville median: $70,575/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sayreville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $72,608 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +9.70% more |
School Counselors in Sayreville, NJ earn a median of $70,575 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.70% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 2.80% below the New Jersey state average of $72,608.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sayreville has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sayreville, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $70,575 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,263 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,320
2025 BLS Actual
$69,157
2026 Current Est.
$70,575
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Sayreville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,481 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,653 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,788 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,157 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,575 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,022 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sayreville metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $61,320 (2019) to $69,157 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,022 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,702 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sayreville 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) | $48,474 – $57,500 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,500 – $70,575 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,575 – $90,336 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,336 – $109,390 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Sayreville
The local job market for school counselors in Sayreville shows that there are currently nine individuals employed in this field. However, the cost of living index sits at a higher-than-average 115.2, which has implications for purchasing power and overall economic stability for residents. Among the various educational institutions, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive salaries, particularly for roles governed by the step-and-lane pay structure based on years of experience and educational attainment. The disparity in pay is further influenced by factors such as additional contract work during the summer, stipends for extracurricular involvement, and advanced educational placements for master's-plus credentials. For those looking to enhance their earning potential, pursuing further qualifications or targeting positions with extended contracts could be strategic moves in the Sayreville job market.
More salary data for Sayreville, 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 $69,157 for school counselorsin the Sayreville 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 Sayreville 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