School Counselor Salary in Warwick, RI: $77,457 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Warwick, RI earns a median $77,457/year (≈ $37.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Warwick's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $77,072 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 22.2% above the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Warwick, Rhode Island, the projected median annual salary for school counselors in 2026 is $77,457, significantly above the national median of $64,335. This positions Warwick's pay approximately 20.40% higher than the national average, highlighting a competitive local job market for this profession. The salary range for school counselors in the area extends from $53,587 at the 10th percentile to $120,059 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variability based on experience and education. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations, suggest the influence of Warwick's step-and-lane pay structure, common across K-12 school districts, where master's-level counselors and those holding advanced degrees can expect placements reflecting their qualifications and years of service.
About the Warwick Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($75,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,587 | $25.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,926 | $29.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,457 | $37.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,145 | $47.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,059 | $57.72 |
Median Salary Position
20.40% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Warwick
In Warwick, RI, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,472 (2026 est.). At $77,457, the local median is 20.4% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Warwick: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Warwick School Counselor Pay Compares
Warwick median: $77,457/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Warwick Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $63,385 | +22.20% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +20.40% more |
School Counselors in Warwick, RI earn a median of $77,457 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.40% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 22.20% above the Rhode Island state average of $63,385.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Warwick has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Warwick, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,457 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,072 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,300
2025 BLS Actual
$75,901
2026 Current Est.
$77,457
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Warwick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,300 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,574 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,394 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,957 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,135 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,901 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,457 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,045 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Warwick metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $67,300 (2019) to $75,901 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,045 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,745 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Warwick 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) | $53,587 – $60,926 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,926 – $77,457 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,457 – $99,145 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,145 – $120,059 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Warwick
The job market in Warwick hosts 16 school counselors, demonstrating a steady demand despite the national trend of rising student-to-counselor ratios, which ASCA recommends be at 1:250 but currently averages 1:385. With a cost-of-living index slightly above the national average at 100.5, salary adjustments help maintain purchasing power in this area. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive compensation, though charter and private schools may also provide attractive packages. Variation in salaries is driven by factors such as the school's step-and-lane pay scale, where years of experience and additional certifications, such as a master's +30 or doctorate, can influence placement. To maximize salary in Warwick, counselors should focus on pursuing further education, gaining diverse experience, and seeking roles with extended contracts or stipends for additional responsibilities within the school setting.
More salary data for Warwick, RI:
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 $75,901 for school counselorsin the Warwick 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 Warwick 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