School Counselor Salary in Pennsylvania: $63,769 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 25 metropolitan areas, the average median school counselor pay sits at $63,769/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 21-1012. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,471 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: York ($74,833), Chambersburg ($72,804), Gettysburg ($69,845).
In Pennsylvania, the projected average median salary for school counselors in 2026 is $63,769, which is slightly below the national median of $64,335, reflecting a difference of -0.9%. The highest salaries can be found in York at $76,367, while Johnstown offers the lowest at $49,375, resulting in a significant salary gap influenced by factors such as cost of living, demand for counseling services, and funding availability in different districts. State licensing requirements for school counselors in Pennsylvania include a master's degree and state certification, which can affect entry into the field. The demand for school counselors is driven by increasing emphasis on mental health, social-emotional learning, and academic support within schools. With approximately 13,900 school counselors employed statewide and a projected annual growth rate of 2.05%, job prospects appear stable. Cities like Chambersburg ($74,296), Gettysburg ($71,277), Philadelphia ($66,196), and Bethlehem ($65,145) also show potential for competitive salaries, reflecting regional variances in educational funding and district resources. As the need for comprehensive counseling services rises, the outlook for school counselors in Pennsylvania remains positive.
Pennsylvania School Counselor Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $39,893 (lowest entry-level) to $105,349 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania school counselors earn 0.88% less than the national median ($-566/year difference).
Pennsylvania School Counselor Salary Distribution (2026)
School Counselor salaries in Pennsylvania range from $46,829 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $98,283 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $63,769. The Pennsylvania median is $566 below the US national median of $64,335. The average hourly rate is $30.66/hr. Approximately 13,900 school counselors are employed across 25 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,888
2025 BLS Actual
$62,488
2026 Current Est.
$63,769
2019–2027 Growth
+5.2%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Pennsylvania (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,888 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,509 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,281 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,382 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,184 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,479 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,488 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,769 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,077 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 1.0% from $61,888 (2019) to $62,488 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,077 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,189 (5.15%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Johnstown | $49,375 |
| State College | $56,935 |
| West Chester | $57,325 |
| Erie | $57,435 |
| Pottstown | $57,748 |
Best Value Cities for School Counselors in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for school counselors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| York | $76,367 | 96 | $79,549 |
| Chambersburg | $74,296 | 94.642 | $78,502 |
| Gettysburg | $71,277 | 95.379 | $74,730 |
| Altoona | $62,066 | 89.507 | $69,342 |
| Bethlehem | $65,145 | 97.4 | $66,884 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $46,829 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $63,769 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $98,283 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 25 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | York | $76,367 |
| 2 | Chambersburg | $74,296 |
| 3 | Gettysburg | $71,277 |
| 4 | Philadelphia | $66,196 |
| 5 | Bethlehem | $65,145 |
| 6 | Allentown | $63,596 |
| 7 | Harrisburg | $63,506 |
| 8 | Easton | $62,505 |
| 9 | Altoona | $62,066 |
| 10 | Lebanon | $61,495 |
| 11 | Reading | $60,966 |
| 12 | Wilkes-Barre | $60,256 |
| 13 | Lancaster | $60,226 |
| 14 | Pittsburgh | $59,566 |
| 15 | Hazleton | $59,421 |
| 16 | Norristown | $59,306 |
| 17 | Scranton | $59,226 |
| 18 | Chester | $59,169 |
| 19 | New Castle | $58,582 |
| 20 | Williamsport | $58,435 |
| 21 | Pottstown | $57,748 |
| 22 | Erie | $57,435 |
| 23 | West Chester | $57,325 |
| 24 | State College | $56,935 |
| 25 | Johnstown | $49,375 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore school counselor hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced school counselors.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More School Counselor Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for school counselors in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania school counselor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level school counselor salary in Pennsylvania?
How many school counselors are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 25 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