School Counselor Salary in Kingston, NY: $76,327 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Kingston, NY earns a median $76,327/year (≈ $36.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Kingston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.7), that paycheck buys what $75,790 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 22.9% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Kingston, NY can expect a median annual salary of $76,327, which significantly exceeds the national median of $64,335, reflecting the region's commitment to mental health support in schools, especially following the post-COVID funding expansion. The salary range for these professionals spans from $51,625 at the 10th percentile to $124,671 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse landscape of compensation opportunities in the local job market. This data is derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, and it highlights not only the financial viability of pursuing a career in school counseling but also the increasing recognition of the role that mental health plays in education in Kingston.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,625 | $24.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,605 | $29.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,327 | $36.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,409 | $48.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,671 | $59.93 |
Median Salary Position
18.64% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingston
In Kingston, NY, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,046 (2026 est.). At $76,327, the local median is 18.64% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kingston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kingston School Counselor Pay Compares
Kingston median: $76,327/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kingston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $62,105 | +22.90% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +18.64% more |
School Counselors in Kingston, NY earn a median of $76,327 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.64% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 22.90% above the New York state average of $62,105.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kingston has a cost of living 0.71% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kingston, NY has a cost-of-living index of 100.709 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,327 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,790 — a 0.7% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,790
2025 BLS Actual
$74,794
2026 Current Est.
$76,327
2019–2027 Growth
+22.1%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Kingston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,794 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,327 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,892 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kingston metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 17.3% from $63,790 (2019) to $74,794 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,892 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,102 (22.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingston 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) | $51,625 – $60,605 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,605 – $76,327 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,327 – $100,409 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,409 – $124,671 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Kingston
The job market for school counselors in Kingston appears robust, with approximately 170 individuals currently employed in this role. However, the cost of living index stands at 100.709, slightly above the national average, which can impact take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive salaries driven by step-and-lane pay scales that reward experience and education levels. Variability in salaries is also influenced by factors such as high-cost-of-living district premiums and additional stipends for extended school year contracts or leadership roles. To maximize earning potential, candidates should consider pursuing advanced degrees, gaining varied experience across school types, and seeking positions in districts that prioritize counselor hiring in response to the ongoing mental health crisis. These strategies may help increase school counselor pay in Kingston, NY, positioning professionals favorably within the evolving educational landscape.
More salary data for Kingston, NY:
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 $74,794 for school counselorsin the Kingston 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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