School Counselor Salary in Staunton, VA: $63,666 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Staunton, VA earns a median $63,666/year (≈ $30.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Staunton's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $69,864 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Staunton, Virginia, school counselors are projected to earn a median annual salary of $63,666 in 2026, closely trailing the national median of $64,335. With a salary range from $43,704 at the 10th percentile to $91,258 at the 90th percentile, this compensation reflects the step-and-lane pay structure common in K-12 education. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reveals distinct placement on the scale for educational qualifications, particularly for those with a master’s degree compared to those with additional credits or a doctorate. Given the current educational funding climate, this salary reflects both the necessity of qualified counselors and the competition among districts to attract talent in an evolving job market focused on mental health.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,704 | $21.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,784 | $22.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,666 | $30.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,987 | $38.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,258 | $43.87 |
Median Salary Position
1.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Staunton
In Staunton, VA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,554 (2026 est.). At $63,666, the local median is 1.04% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Staunton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Staunton School Counselor Pay Compares
Staunton median: $63,666/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Staunton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $63,349 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | -1.04% less |
School Counselors in Staunton, VA earn a median of $63,666 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.04% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.50% above the Virginia state average of $63,349.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Staunton has a cost of living 8.87% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Staunton, VA has a cost-of-living index of 91.128 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $63,666 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,864 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,050
2025 BLS Actual
$62,387
2026 Current Est.
$63,666
2019–2027 Growth
+18.0%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Staunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,387 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,666 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,971 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Staunton metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 13.3% from $55,050 (2019) to $62,387 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,971 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,921 (18.02%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Staunton 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) | $43,704 – $47,784 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,784 – $63,666 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,666 – $79,987 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,987 – $91,258 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Staunton
In Staunton, there are currently 110 school counselors employed, showcasing a stable job market amidst a broader national growth rate of 2.05%. The cost of living index in Staunton stands at 91.128, indicating that residents may find their purchasing power enhanced relative to national averages. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the best compensation packages, taking into account the collective bargaining agreements and the step-and-lane pay model. Factors contributing to the salary distribution include classroom experience, academic credentials, and roles that extend beyond traditional responsibilities—such as involvement in summer programs or additional administrative duties. For counselors looking to maximize their school counselor pay in Staunton, seeking opportunities for additional credits, expanding their roles within schools, and advocating for summer appointments can enhance earnings in this particular market.
More salary data for Staunton, 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 $62,387 for school counselorsin the Staunton 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