School Counselor Salary in Woonsocket, RI: $61,249 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Woonsocket, RI earns a median $61,249/year (≈ $29.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Woonsocket's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $60,944 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Woonsocket, RI, the projected compensation for school counselors in 2026 indicates a median annual salary of $61,249, positioning district salaries just shy of the national median of $64,335. The local salary range spans from $46,595 for the lower 10th percentile to as high as $94,936 for the top 10th percentile, offering varied opportunities depending on experience and educational qualifications. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, reflecting the demand for school counselors. Given that the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) recommends a counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250, the need for competitive salaries becomes critical as local schools aim to attract and retain qualified professionals amid an expanding mental health funding landscape.
About the Woonsocket Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($75,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,595 | $22.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,875 | $24.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,249 | $29.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,393 | $36.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,936 | $45.65 |
Median Salary Position
4.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Woonsocket
In Woonsocket, RI, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,341 (2026 est.). At $61,249, the local median is 4.8% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Woonsocket: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Woonsocket School Counselor Pay Compares
Woonsocket median: $61,249/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Woonsocket Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $63,340 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -4.80% less |
School Counselors in Woonsocket, RI earn a median of $61,249 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.80% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $63,340.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Woonsocket has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Woonsocket, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,249 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,944 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,218
2025 BLS Actual
$60,019
2026 Current Est.
$61,249
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Woonsocket (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,218 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,225 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,455 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,575 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,859 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,019 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,249 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,505 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Woonsocket metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $53,218 (2019) to $60,019 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,505 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,287 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Woonsocket 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) | $46,595 – $50,875 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,875 – $61,249 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,249 – $76,393 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,393 – $94,936 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Woonsocket
With just nine school counselors currently employed in the area, the job market in Woonsocket presents both challenges and opportunities in terms of compensation. The cost-of-living index stands slightly above the national average at 100.5, which impacts take-home pay and purchasing power for local professionals. Among educational employers, K-12 public school districts tend to offer the most lucrative salaries, often determined by the established step-and-lane pay structure based on years of experience and level of education. The variation in pay can also be attributed to district-specific premiums for higher-cost areas, additional qualifications, and contracts for extended school years or summer programs. For those seeking to maximize their income potential, pursuing advanced degrees beyond a master’s, such as a doctorate, and taking on stipended roles like department heads or club advisors, can enhance school counselor pay in Woonsocket, RI.
More salary data for Woonsocket, 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 $60,019 for school counselorsin the Woonsocket 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 Woonsocket 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