School Counselor Salary in Vermont: $62,822 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Vermont's 9 metropolitan areas, the average median school counselor pay sits at $62,822/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 21-1012. Because Vermont sits at BEA RPP 103.5 (4% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $60,698 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: South Burlington ($61,975), Burlington ($61,662), Bennington ($61,273).
In 2026, the average median salary for school counselors in Vermont is projected to be $62,822, which is slightly below the national median of $64,335, reflecting a difference of 2.4%. The highest paying city in the state is South Burlington with a salary of $63,245, while Montpelier offers the lowest at $60,100, indicating a salary gap of $3,145. This discrepancy can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, funding levels for schools, and local demand for counseling services. With a total employment of 520 school counselors across Vermont, areas such as Burlington and Bennington also show strong salaries, with projected earnings of $62,926 and $62,529, respectively. Vermont mandates licensing for school counselors, requiring at least a master's degree and supervised experience, which ensures a professional standard but may also influence starting salaries. The demand for school counselors in the state is driven by ongoing needs for mental health support in educational settings, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 2.05%. As schools increasingly recognize the importance of emotional and academic guidance, the job market for school counselors is expected to strengthen, making it a viable career path in Vermont's educational landscape.
Vermont School Counselor Salary Range
Overall salary range in Vermont: $43,942 (lowest entry-level) to $100,369 (highest top earner)
Vermont vs National Average
Vermont school counselors earn 2.35% less than the national median ($-1,513/year difference).
Vermont School Counselor Salary Distribution (2026)
School Counselor salaries in Vermont range from $51,066 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $99,889 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $62,822. The Vermont median is $1,513 below the US national median of $64,335. The average hourly rate is $30.21/hr. Approximately 520 school counselors are employed across 9 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$43,540
2025 BLS Actual
$61,560
2026 Current Est.
$62,822
2019–2027 Growth
+47.2%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Vermont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,822 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,110 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vermont metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 41.4% from $43,540 (2019) to $61,560 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,110 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,570 (47.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vermont 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 Vermont
Lowest Paying Cities in Vermont
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Montpelier | $60,100 |
| Colchester | $60,404 |
| Rutland | $60,474 |
| Barre | $61,607 |
| Essex Junction | $61,690 |
Best Value Cities for School Counselors in Vermont
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Vermont cities offer the most purchasing power for school counselors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $62,926 | 100.949 | $62,334 |
| South Burlington | $63,245 | 103.5 | $61,106 |
| Bennington | $62,529 | 103.5 | $60,414 |
| Brattleboro | $61,823 | 103.5 | $59,732 |
| Essex Junction | $61,690 | 103.5 | $59,604 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Vermont
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $51,066 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $62,822 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $99,889 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Vermont metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 9 Cities in Vermont
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Burlington | $63,245 |
| 2 | Burlington | $62,926 |
| 3 | Bennington | $62,529 |
| 4 | Brattleboro | $61,823 |
| 5 | Essex Junction | $61,690 |
| 6 | Barre | $61,607 |
| 7 | Rutland | $60,474 |
| 8 | Colchester | $60,404 |
| 9 | Montpelier | $60,100 |
More Vermont Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore school counselor hourly pay in Vermont cities.
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 Vermont in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for school counselors in Vermont?
How does Vermont school counselor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level school counselor salary in Vermont?
How many school counselors are employed in Vermont?
Which Vermont 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 Vermont. State averages are employment-weighted across 9 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