School Counselor Salary in Utah: $60,646 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Utah's 41 metropolitan areas, the average median school counselor pay sits at $60,646/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 21-1012. Because Utah sits at BEA RPP 98.1 (2% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $61,821 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Ogden ($62,955), Logan ($62,622), West Jordan ($60,976).
In 2026, school counselors in Utah can expect an average median salary of $60,646, which is 5.7% below the national median salary of $64,335. The salary range varies significantly across the state, with Ogden offering the highest average salary at $64,246 and St. George at the lower end with $56,125. This roughly $8,121 disparity is influenced by cost of living differences, local school funding levels, and regional demand for counseling services, which can fluctuate based on population densities and socioeconomic factors. To work as a school counselor in Utah, individuals must meet state licensing requirements, including obtaining a master’s degree in school counseling and completing supervised internships. The scope of practice allows counselors to address a broad range of issues impacting students, but licensing processes ensure a standard of care. Currently, there are approximately 3,784 school counselors employed across the state, with an anticipated annual growth rate of 2.05%. This steady increase is driven by rising student enrollment and greater recognition of mental health’s role in education, suggesting a positive outlook for job opportunities in the field moving forward.
Utah School Counselor Salary Range
Overall salary range in Utah: $35,753 (lowest entry-level) to $104,889 (highest top earner)
Utah vs National Average
Utah school counselors earn 5.73% less than the national median ($-3,689/year difference).
Utah School Counselor Salary Distribution (2026)
School Counselor salaries in Utah range from $38,194 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $99,237 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $60,646. The Utah median is $3,689 below the US national median of $64,335. The average hourly rate is $29.16/hr. Approximately 3,784 school counselors are employed across 41 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$46,029
2025 BLS Actual
$59,428
2026 Current Est.
$60,646
2019–2027 Growth
+34.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Utah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,029 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,728 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,774 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,911 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,822 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,517 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,428 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,646 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,889 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Utah metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 29.1% from $46,029 (2019) to $59,428 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,889 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,860 (34.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Utah 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 Utah
Lowest Paying Cities in Utah
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| St. George | $56,125 |
| Lehi | $56,264 |
| Clinton | $56,634 |
| Orem | $56,801 |
| North Ogden | $56,914 |
Best Value Cities for School Counselors in Utah
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Utah cities offer the most purchasing power for school counselors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan | $63,906 | 95.927 | $66,619 |
| Ogden | $64,246 | 100.349 | $64,023 |
| West Jordan | $62,226 | 98.1 | $63,431 |
| West Valley City | $62,127 | 98.1 | $63,330 |
| Sandy | $62,004 | 98.1 | $63,205 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Utah
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,194 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $60,646 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $99,237 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Utah metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 41 Cities in Utah
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ogden | $64,246 |
| 2 | Logan | $63,906 |
| 3 | West Jordan | $62,226 |
| 4 | West Valley City | $62,127 |
| 5 | Sandy | $62,004 |
| 6 | South Jordan | $61,649 |
| 7 | Murray | $61,502 |
| 8 | Salt Lake City | $61,245 |
| 9 | Draper | $61,086 |
| 10 | Layton | $60,887 |
| 11 | Holladay | $60,650 |
| 12 | Spanish Fork | $60,641 |
| 13 | American Fork | $60,513 |
| 14 | Saratoga Springs | $60,446 |
| 15 | Cedar City | $60,428 |
| 16 | Cottonwood Heights | $60,223 |
| 17 | Midvale | $60,223 |
| 18 | Roy | $60,199 |
| 19 | Tooele | $60,156 |
| 20 | Herriman | $60,136 |
| 21 | Taylorsville | $59,694 |
| 22 | Kaysville | $59,605 |
| 23 | Syracuse | $59,515 |
| 24 | Washington | $59,496 |
| 25 | Millcreek | $59,160 |
| 26 | Bountiful | $58,778 |
| 27 | Clearfield | $58,502 |
| 28 | Pleasant Grove | $58,464 |
| 29 | Springville | $58,103 |
| 30 | Eagle Mountain | $58,080 |
| 31 | Riverton | $58,017 |
| 32 | Vineyard | $57,923 |
| 33 | Highland | $57,638 |
| 34 | Payson | $57,517 |
| 35 | Provo | $57,405 |
| 36 | Park City | $57,076 |
| 37 | North Ogden | $56,914 |
| 38 | Orem | $56,801 |
| 39 | Clinton | $56,634 |
| 40 | Lehi | $56,264 |
| 41 | St. George | $56,125 |
More Utah Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced school counselors.
Explore More School Counselor Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Utah in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for school counselors in Utah?
How does Utah school counselor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level school counselor salary in Utah?
How many school counselors are employed in Utah?
Which Utah 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 Utah. State averages are employment-weighted across 41 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