School Counselor Salary in Virginia: $66,458 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median school counselor pay sits at $66,458/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 21-1012. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $64,397 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Alexandria ($75,232), Winchester ($73,716), Norfolk ($69,464).
In Virginia, the projected average median salary for school counselors in 2026 is $66,458, placing it 3.3% above the national median of $64,335. The highest-paying city for school counselors is Alexandria, with a salary of $76,774, while Falls Church offers the lowest at $58,399, reflecting a significant salary gap of $18,375. This disparity is largely influenced by the cost of living, local funding for education, and demand for counselors in metropolitan areas. Virginia's licensing requirements are critical for aspiring school counselors. Candidates must hold a master's degree in school counseling and pass relevant assessments. Additionally, the demand for counselors is driven by the state’s focus on mental health initiatives and the increasing need for college and career readiness programs. As of 2026, there are 5,660 school counselors employed in the state, with a projected annual growth rate of 2.05%, indicating a steady demand for professionals in this field. The top five projected cities for school counselor salaries—Alexandria, Winchester at $75,227, Norfolk at $70,888, Chesapeake at $70,118, and Virginia Beach at $69,846—reflect varied opportunities across the state.
Virginia School Counselor Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $41,554 (lowest entry-level) to $119,001 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia school counselors earn 3.30% more than the national median (+$2,123/year difference).
Virginia School Counselor Salary Distribution (2026)
School Counselor salaries in Virginia range from $46,003 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $93,742 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,458. The Virginia median is $2,123 above the US national median of $64,335. The average hourly rate is $31.95/hr. Approximately 5,660 school counselors are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,310
2025 BLS Actual
$65,123
2026 Current Est.
$66,458
2019–2027 Growth
+12.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,165 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,996 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,104 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,123 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,458 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,820 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 8.0% from $60,310 (2019) to $65,123 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,820 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,510 (12.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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 Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Falls Church | $58,399 |
| Lynchburg | $58,995 |
| Herndon | $59,328 |
| Williamsburg | $59,976 |
| Harrisonburg | $60,016 |
Best Value Cities for School Counselors in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for school counselors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester | $75,227 | 96.45 | $77,996 |
| Alexandria | $76,774 | 103.2 | $74,393 |
| Virginia Beach | $69,846 | 97.941 | $71,314 |
| Staunton | $63,666 | 91.128 | $69,864 |
| Richmond | $67,626 | 97.858 | $69,106 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $46,003 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $66,458 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $93,742 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $76,774 |
| 2 | Winchester | $75,227 |
| 3 | Norfolk | $70,888 |
| 4 | Chesapeake | $70,118 |
| 5 | Virginia Beach | $69,846 |
| 6 | Richmond | $67,626 |
| 7 | Newport News | $63,828 |
| 8 | Staunton | $63,666 |
| 9 | Charlottesville | $63,335 |
| 10 | Hampton | $63,265 |
| 11 | Centreville | $62,970 |
| 12 | Radford | $62,662 |
| 13 | Burke | $62,543 |
| 14 | Suffolk | $62,273 |
| 15 | Tuckahoe | $62,096 |
| 16 | Ashburn | $62,008 |
| 17 | McLean | $62,003 |
| 18 | Reston | $61,937 |
| 19 | Danville | $61,924 |
| 20 | Bristol | $61,743 |
| 21 | Fredericksburg | $61,659 |
| 22 | Dale City | $61,646 |
| 23 | Blacksburg | $61,585 |
| 24 | Manassas | $61,580 |
| 25 | Salem | $61,409 |
| 26 | Leesburg | $61,320 |
| 27 | Portsmouth | $61,285 |
| 28 | Roanoke | $61,276 |
| 29 | Mechanicsville | $61,187 |
| 30 | Springfield | $60,971 |
| 31 | Woodbridge | $60,887 |
| 32 | Sterling | $60,770 |
| 33 | Lake Ridge | $60,690 |
| 34 | Linton Hall | $60,622 |
| 35 | Fairfax | $60,467 |
| 36 | Waynesboro | $60,171 |
| 37 | Annandale | $60,091 |
| 38 | Harrisonburg | $60,016 |
| 39 | Williamsburg | $59,976 |
| 40 | Herndon | $59,328 |
| 41 | Lynchburg | $58,995 |
| 42 | Falls Church | $58,399 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore school counselor hourly pay in Virginia cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced school counselors.
Compare Cities in Virginia
View all comparisons →Explore More School Counselor Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for school counselors in Virginia?
How does Virginia school counselor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level school counselor salary in Virginia?
How many school counselors are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia 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 Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 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