School Counselor Salary in Leesburg, VA: $61,320 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Leesburg, VA earns a median $61,320/year (≈ $29.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Leesburg's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $59,419 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Leesburg, VA, can expect a median annual salary of $61,320, which reflects a slight decrease of 4.69% when compared to the national median of $64,335. The projected salary range for this position spans from $43,177 at the 10th percentile to a high of $95,045 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse potential for earnings based on experience and educational attainment. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living considerations. Given the area's competitive step-and-lane salary scales, counselors with master's degrees versus those with additional qualifications, such as master's +30, may see noticeable differences in compensation, especially considering the staffing demands raised by recent mental health initiatives.
About the Leesburg Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,177 | $20.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,798 | $23.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,320 | $29.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,490 | $37.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,045 | $45.70 |
Median Salary Position
4.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Leesburg
In Leesburg, VA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,868 (2026 est.). At $61,320, the local median is 4.69% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Leesburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Leesburg School Counselor Pay Compares
Leesburg median: $61,320/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Leesburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $63,347 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -4.69% less |
School Counselors in Leesburg, VA earn a median of $61,320 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.69% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.20% below the Virginia state average of $63,347.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Leesburg has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Leesburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,320 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $59,419 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,279
2025 BLS Actual
$60,088
2026 Current Est.
$61,320
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Leesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,279 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,287 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,174 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,641 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,941 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,088 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,320 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,577 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Leesburg metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $53,279 (2019) to $60,088 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,577 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,298 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leesburg 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) | $43,177 – $48,798 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,798 – $61,320 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,320 – $78,490 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,490 – $95,045 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Leesburg
The local job market for school counselors in Leesburg is quite stable, with 14 professionals currently in the field. The cost of living index stands at 103.2, indicating that daily expenses exceed the national average, which could impact how much take-home pay counselors can actually utilize. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most lucrative compensation packages, with additional earnings possible through extended school contracts and stipends for roles such as department heads and club advisors. The disparity in salaries often hinges on experience, advanced degrees, and the overall school district’s funding priorities. For counselors looking to maximize their earnings in Leesburg, pursuing advanced degrees or specialized certifications could be beneficial, along with seeking positions in schools that offer substantial mental health program funding, aligning with the post-COVID focus on student well-being.
More salary data for Leesburg, VA:
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 $60,088 for school counselorsin the Leesburg 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 Leesburg 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