School Counselor Salary in Roswell, NM: $58,386 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Roswell, NM earns a median $58,386/year (≈ $28.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Roswell's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $61,850 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Roswell, NM can expect to earn a median annual salary of $58,386, which is notably lower than the national median of $64,335. This local salary range spans from $41,026 at the 10th percentile to $90,498 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse pay landscape based on experience and qualifications. The figures presented here are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional economic conditions. The expansion of mental health funding post-COVID has spurred hiring in Roswell's educational sector, bolstering opportunities for school counselors amid increased demand for mental health resources in schools.
About the Roswell Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,026 | $19.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,993 | $22.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,386 | $28.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,930 | $35.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,498 | $43.50 |
Median Salary Position
9.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Roswell
In Roswell, NM, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,472 (2026 est.). At $58,386, the local median is 9.25% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Roswell: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Roswell School Counselor Pay Compares
Roswell median: $58,386/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Roswell Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $59,517 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -9.25% less |
School Counselors in Roswell, NM earn a median of $58,386 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.25% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.90% below the New Mexico state average of $59,517.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Roswell has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Roswell, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $58,386 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,850 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,730
2025 BLS Actual
$57,213
2026 Current Est.
$58,386
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Roswell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,730 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,816 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,487 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,883 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,563 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,213 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,386 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,583 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Roswell metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $50,730 (2019) to $57,213 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,583 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,853 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Roswell 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) | $41,026 – $45,993 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,993 – $58,386 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,386 – $73,930 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,930 – $90,498 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Roswell
Roswell's job market currently employs 12 school counselors, illustrating a steady demand for these professionals in the local educational framework. With a cost-of-living index of 94.4, the area is slightly below the national average, which can enhance take-home purchasing power despite the lower salary figures. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive pay, following structured step-and-lane systems that correlate salary to years of service and educational attainment. Factors influencing the salary spread include the district's budget constraints and variations based on counselors’ advanced degrees. Strategies for maximizing compensation may involve pursuing additional certifications or taking on stipend roles within the school, such as department heads or club advisors. Given the location’s unique economic dynamics, navigating these options could provide significant advantages for enhancing school counselor pay in Roswell, NM.
More salary data for Roswell, NM:
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 $57,213 for school counselorsin the Roswell 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 Roswell 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