School Counselor Salary in Colchester, VT: $60,404 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Colchester, VT earns a median $60,404/year (≈ $29.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Colchester's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $58,361 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% below the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Colchester, VT, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $60,404, reflecting a modest gap compared to the national median of $64,335, indicating that this region may offer slightly lower financial incentives for these critical roles. With a salary range extending from $45,946 at the 10th percentile to $93,627 at the 90th percentile, there is room for variability depending on experience, qualifications, and specific roles within K-12 settings. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price parity, demonstrate that although the compensation may trend lower than the national average, the importance of adhering to ASCA's recommended counselor-to-student ratios underscores the need for adequate staffing to address the rising mental health needs among students post-COVID.
About the Colchester Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,946 | $22.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,088 | $24.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,404 | $29.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,852 | $36.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,627 | $45.01 |
Median Salary Position
6.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Colchester
In Colchester, VT, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,681 (2026 est.). At $60,404, the local median is 6.11% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Colchester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Colchester School Counselor Pay Compares
Colchester median: $60,404/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Colchester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $65,232 | -7.40% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -6.11% less |
School Counselors in Colchester, VT earn a median of $60,404 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.11% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 7.40% below the Vermont state average of $65,232.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Colchester has a cost of living 3.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Colchester, VT has a cost-of-living index of 103.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,404 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $58,361 — a 3.38% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,483
2025 BLS Actual
$59,191
2026 Current Est.
$60,404
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Colchester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,483 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,477 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,676 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,336 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,317 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,191 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,404 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,643 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colchester metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $52,483 (2019) to $59,191 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,643 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,160 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colchester 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) | $45,946 – $50,088 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,088 – $60,404 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,404 – $76,852 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,852 – $93,627 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Colchester
Evaluating the local job market reveals that Colchester employs four school counselors, which portrays a small but specialized workforce in a community with a slightly elevated cost of living index of 103.5. This index indicates that while nominal salaries may appear lower than the national average, the purchasing power in Colchester is affected by local expenses. Among educational institutions, K-12 public school districts typically provide the most competitive salaries based on a step-and-lane pay scale, inherently linked to experience and academic credentials. Factors influencing the disparity in pay include the education level of the counselors—those holding master's+30 degrees or doctorates may secure higher placements—alongside opportunities for summer contracts and stipends for leadership roles. For prospective or current school counselors, actively pursuing additional qualifications, seeking positions within higher-paying districts, and advocating for necessary mental health funding are all strategies to enhance earning potential within the Colchester educational landscape.
More salary data for Colchester, VT:
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 $59,191 for school counselorsin the Colchester 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 Colchester 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