School Counselor Salary in Richmond, VA: $67,626 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Richmond, VA earns a median $67,626/year (≈ $32.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $69,106 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.8% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the school counselor salary in Richmond, VA, is projected to be $67,626, solidifying the city's competitive position compared to the national median of $64,335. The salary range for school counselors in Richmond spans from $47,725 at the 10th percentile to $92,358 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse market where experience and qualifications significantly influence pay. This upward trend in compensation can be attributed to the post-COVID mental health funding expansion, which has prompted local school districts to bolster their counseling staff to address increasing student needs. This robust hiring environment is expected to create more opportunities for professionals in the field within Richmond's educational landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,725 | $22.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,985 | $26.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,626 | $32.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,747 | $39.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,358 | $44.40 |
Median Salary Position
5.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, VA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,633 (2026 est.). At $67,626, the local median is 5.12% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond School Counselor Pay Compares
Richmond median: $67,626/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $63,321 | +6.80% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +5.12% more |
School Counselors in Richmond, VA earn a median of $67,626 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.12% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 6.80% above the Virginia state average of $63,321.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 2.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.858 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $67,626 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,106 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,240
2025 BLS Actual
$66,268
2026 Current Est.
$67,626
2019–2027 Growth
+16.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,268 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,626 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,013 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 11.9% from $59,240 (2019) to $66,268 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,013 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,773 (16.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $47,725 – $54,985 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,985 – $67,626 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,626 – $82,747 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,747 – $92,358 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Richmond
With 1,480 school counselors employed locally, Richmond's job market reflects a strong demand for these professionals amidst a cost of living index of 97.858, which is slightly below the national average. This index means that while salaries are competitive, the ability to stretch take-home pay can be more favorable in Richmond. School districts, charter schools, and specialized institutions vary in pay, with K-12 public districts typically adhering to an established step-and-lane pay structure based on years of experience and educational attainment. Factors influencing the spread between low and high pay include the specific district’s funding levels, contracts for extended school year roles, and stipends for additional responsibilities. For those looking to maximize school counselor pay in Richmond, pursuing advanced degrees or certifications, gaining experience through specialized roles, and taking advantage of summer program opportunities can lead to more substantial compensation.
More salary data for Richmond, 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 $66,268 for school counselorsin the Richmond 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
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