School Counselor Salary in North Dakota: $58,634 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median school counselor pay sits at $58,634/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 21-1012. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $63,733 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Minot ($68,982), Bismarck ($60,731), Grand Forks ($57,781).
In 2026, school counselors in North Dakota are projected to earn an average median salary of $58,634, which falls below the national median of $64,335 by 8.9%. The salary range varies significantly across cities, with the highest paying city, Minot, offering $70,396, and the lowest, Fargo, providing $52,965. This difference of $17,431 can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local school funding, and demand for counseling services in each area. To practice as a school counselor in North Dakota, individuals must meet state licensing requirements, which include holding a master's degree and completing supervised clinical experience. Scope of practice laws further define the services counselors can provide, reflecting both educational and mental health needs. Demand for school counselors is driven by a growing emphasis on student mental health and social support, particularly in urban areas. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.05% for the profession, the outlook remains steady for school counselors in the state. Current employment estimates indicate there are 637 school counselors in North Dakota, highlighting both the importance of this role in educational settings and the ongoing need for qualified professionals in the field.
North Dakota School Counselor Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $39,486 (lowest entry-level) to $88,356 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota school counselors earn 8.86% less than the national median ($-5,701/year difference).
North Dakota School Counselor Salary Distribution (2026)
School Counselor salaries in North Dakota range from $47,103 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $81,262 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $58,634. The North Dakota median is $5,701 below the US national median of $64,335. The average hourly rate is $28.19/hr. Approximately 637 school counselors are employed across 8 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,482
2025 BLS Actual
$57,456
2026 Current Est.
$58,634
2019–2027 Growth
+4.1%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in North Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,482 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,712 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,563 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,822 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,613 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,456 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,634 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,836 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew -0.0% from $57,482 (2019) to $57,456 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,836 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,354 (4.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Dakota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in North Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fargo | $52,965 |
| Mandan | $54,212 |
| Williston | $55,348 |
| Dickinson | $56,716 |
| West Fargo | $57,004 |
Best Value Cities for School Counselors in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for school counselors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minot | $70,396 | 87.028 | $80,889 |
| Bismarck | $61,976 | 91.024 | $68,088 |
| Grand Forks | $58,966 | 86.663 | $68,041 |
| West Fargo | $57,004 | 92 | $61,961 |
| Dickinson | $56,716 | 92 | $61,648 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $47,103 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $58,634 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $81,262 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 8 Cities in North Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minot | $70,396 |
| 2 | Bismarck | $61,976 |
| 3 | Grand Forks | $58,966 |
| 4 | West Fargo | $57,004 |
| 5 | Dickinson | $56,716 |
| 6 | Williston | $55,348 |
| 7 | Mandan | $54,212 |
| 8 | Fargo | $52,965 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore school counselor hourly pay in North Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced school counselors.
Explore More School Counselor Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in North Dakota in 2026?
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How does North Dakota school counselor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level school counselor salary in North Dakota?
How many school counselors are employed in North Dakota?
Which North Dakota city offers the best value for school counselors?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 school counselor compensation across North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 metro areas — larger metro areas with more school counselorscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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