School Counselor Salary in Watertown, SD: $56,259 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Watertown, SD earns a median $56,259/year (≈ $27.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Watertown's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $60,624 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Watertown, SD, the projected 2026 median annual salary for school counselors is $56,259, which reflects a notable gap when compared to the national median of $64,335. This salary range spans from $41,905 at the 10th percentile to $86,607 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the variances based on experience and educational attainment. The compensation figures here are derived from state-level data and adjusted for local living costs, which, in Watertown, align with a cost of living index of 92.8. This lower index may contribute to salary structures that follow a traditional step-and-lane scale found in many K-12 public schools, allowing for incremental increases based on years of service and degree levels, which ultimately shapes the local job market for school counselors.
About the Watertown Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,905 | $20.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,827 | $22.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,259 | $27.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,803 | $34.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,607 | $41.64 |
Median Salary Position
12.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Watertown
In Watertown, SD, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,702 (2026 est.). At $56,259, the local median is 12.55% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Watertown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Watertown School Counselor Pay Compares
Watertown median: $56,259/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Watertown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $58,481 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -12.55% less |
School Counselors in Watertown, SD earn a median of $56,259 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.55% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.80% below the South Dakota state average of $58,481.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Watertown has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Watertown, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $56,259 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,624 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,882
2025 BLS Actual
$55,129
2026 Current Est.
$56,259
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,882 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,807 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,855 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,538 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,884 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,754 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,129 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,259 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,412 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Watertown metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $48,882 (2019) to $55,129 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,412 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,530 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Watertown 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) | $41,905 – $45,827 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,827 – $56,259 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,259 – $70,803 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,803 – $86,607 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Watertown
Currently, there are six school counselors employed within Watertown, highlighting a relatively small job market that may offer limited opportunities. The cost of living in the area suggests that while the school counselor salary in Watertown might appear modest relative to national averages, the purchasing power remains more favorable locally. Public school districts generally provide competitive pay, often influenced by experience, educational credentials, and specialty roles such as academic advising and mental health initiatives. The disparity in compensation—ranging from higher-paying positions based on the step-and-lane model to roles that may not require advanced degrees—can guide prospective and current counselors in maximizing their earning potential, perhaps by pursuing additional qualifications or taking on extended responsibilities that come with stipends. Given the post-COVID focus on mental health support, opportunities for advancement may arise as districts look to meet the recommended counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250, thus creating a strategic pathway for increased pay.
More salary data for Watertown, SD:
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 $55,129 for school counselorsin the Watertown 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 Watertown 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