School Counselor Salary in Saratoga Springs, NY: $59,667 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Saratoga Springs, NY earns a median $59,667/year (≈ $28.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Saratoga Springs's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $51,481 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median salary for school counselors in Saratoga Springs, NY, is $59,667, which reflects a 7.26% decrease compared to the national median of $64,335. With a salary range spanning from $44,793 at the 10th percentile to $92,483 at the 90th percentile, these figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost considerations. This shift in compensation highlights the impact of post-COVID mental health funding expansions that have prompted local districts to bolster their counseling staff. As demand for school counselors grows, especially in light of the ASCA-recommended ratios challenged by current student populations, individuals entering this field in Saratoga Springs may find their opportunities gradually increasing.
About the Saratoga Springs Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,793 | $21.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,119 | $23.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,667 | $28.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,989 | $35.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,483 | $44.46 |
Median Salary Position
7.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Saratoga Springs
In Saratoga Springs, NY, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,690 (2026 est.). At $59,667, the local median is 7.26% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Saratoga Springs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Saratoga Springs School Counselor Pay Compares
Saratoga Springs median: $59,667/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Saratoga Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $62,088 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -7.26% less |
School Counselors in Saratoga Springs, NY earn a median of $59,667 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.26% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.90% below the New York state average of $62,088.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Saratoga Springs has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Saratoga Springs, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,667 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $51,481 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,842
2025 BLS Actual
$58,468
2026 Current Est.
$59,667
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Saratoga Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,842 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,824 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,996 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,087 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,646 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,468 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,667 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,890 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Saratoga Springs metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $51,842 (2019) to $58,468 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,890 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,048 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Saratoga Springs 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) | $44,793 – $49,119 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,119 – $59,667 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,667 – $73,989 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,989 – $92,483 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Saratoga Springs
The job market for school counselors in Saratoga Springs currently employs seven professionals in this role, navigating a cost-of-living index of 115.9. This figure indicates that although salaries are lower than the national average, the higher cost of living reduces actual purchasing power. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive compensation packages in alignment with the established step-and-lane wage scales that factor in experience and advanced education levels. The disparity between lower and higher salaries often reflects variables such as district premium pay, advanced degrees beyond a master’s, extended contract opportunities, and stipends for additional responsibilities. For aspiring counselors, maximizing pay in this market can involve seeking positions in districts offering the most robust contracts or exploring roles that allow for summer and after-school programming, capitalizing on this expanding demand for mental health support in schools.
More salary data for Saratoga Springs, 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 $58,468 for school counselorsin the Saratoga Springs 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 Saratoga Springs 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