School Counselor Salary in Minot, ND: $70,396 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Minot, ND earns a median $70,396/year (≈ $33.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Minot's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.0), that paycheck buys what $80,889 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 21.4% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average school counselor salary in Minot, ND, is projected to be $70,396, reflecting the positive impact of enhanced mental health funding in local schools. This surge in funding has led to a notable increase in hiring, allowing schools to better support the mental wellness of students. The salary range for school counselors in Minot extends from $47,904 at the lower end (P10) to $79,367 at the higher end (P90), as derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. This robust compensation level is not only above the national median of $64,335 but is also a clear response to the high demand for qualified professionals in a landscape where maintaining school counselor-to-student ratios remains a challenge, particularly in light of the ASCA’s recommended 1:250 ratio.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,904 | $23.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,735 | $27.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,396 | $33.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,367 | $38.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,367 | $38.16 |
Median Salary Position
9.42% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Minot
In Minot, ND, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,463 (2026 est.). At $70,396, the local median is 9.42% above the national median of $64,335.
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How Minot School Counselor Pay Compares
Minot median: $70,396/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Minot Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $57,987 | +21.40% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +9.42% more |
School Counselors in Minot, ND earn a median of $70,396 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.42% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 21.40% above the North Dakota state average of $57,987.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Minot has a cost of living 12.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Minot, ND has a cost-of-living index of 87.028 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $70,396 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,889 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.91% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,165
2025 BLS Actual
$68,982
2026 Current Est.
$70,396
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Minot (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,165 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,323 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,886 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,489 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,173 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,982 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,396 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,839 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minot metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $61,165 (2019) to $68,982 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,839 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,674 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minot 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) | $47,904 – $56,735 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,735 – $70,396 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,396 – $79,367 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,367 – $79,367 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Minot
Focusing on the local job market, Minot is currently home to approximately 70 school counselors. Despite the competitive salaries, the cost of living is relatively low, with a cost-of-living index of 87.028, which positively influences take-home pay. Within Minot, K-12 public school districts generally offer the highest salaries, driven by a step-and-lane pay scale that considers experience and educational attainment. The variance in compensation can be tied to several factors, including district location, contracted roles, and any additional stipends for leadership positions or extended contracts. As a strategic move, those entering the field should aim to adopt multifaceted roles that not only fulfill the immediate needs of students but can also lead to a higher salary trajectory in Minot’s market. Understanding individual district policies around pay can significantly affect long-term earnings and job satisfaction for school counselors in this evolving educational landscape.
More salary data for Minot, ND:
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 $68,982 for school counselorsin the Minot 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, 2-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