School Counselor Salary in Williamsburg, VA: $59,976 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Williamsburg, VA earns a median $59,976/year (≈ $28.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Williamsburg's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $58,116 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the expected schooling counselor salary in Williamsburg, Virginia, is projected at $59,976, reflecting the impact of the increased mental health funding for schools following the COVID-19 pandemic. This growth in funding has spurred local hiring efforts, leading to a competitive salary range between $43,089 and $92,962 for school counselors in the area. These figures are estimated based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions, and they indicate both the demand for mental health professionals in education and the financial landscape they navigate. For those considering a career in this field, the context of Williamsburg's job market illustrates the evolving role of school counselors amid shifting responsibilities and expectations, especially as districts strive to meet the recommended counselor-to-student ratios.
About the Williamsburg Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,089 | $20.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,702 | $22.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,976 | $28.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,214 | $35.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,962 | $44.70 |
Median Salary Position
6.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williamsburg
In Williamsburg, VA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,873 (2026 est.). At $59,976, the local median is 6.78% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Williamsburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Williamsburg School Counselor Pay Compares
Williamsburg median: $59,976/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Williamsburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $63,332 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -6.78% less |
School Counselors in Williamsburg, VA earn a median of $59,976 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.78% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.30% below the Virginia state average of $63,332.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Williamsburg has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Williamsburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,976 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $58,116 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,111
2025 BLS Actual
$58,771
2026 Current Est.
$59,976
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Williamsburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,111 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,098 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,281 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,943 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,377 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,408 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,771 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,976 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,205 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Williamsburg metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $52,111 (2019) to $58,771 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,205 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,094 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williamsburg 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) | $43,089 – $47,702 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,702 – $59,976 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,976 – $73,214 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,214 – $92,962 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Williamsburg
With five school counselors currently employed in Williamsburg, the local job market reflects a relatively small but stable workforce. The cost of living index sits at 103.2, slightly above the national average, which suggests that while salaries may be competitive, the purchasing power for school counselor pay in Williamsburg VA can be affected by rising living costs. Among the various employers, K-12 public school districts often offer the most robust compensation packages, governed by a step-and-lane pay scale that factors in experience and education level. The disparity in salaries, ranging from entry-level positions to those commanding higher pay, is driven by different educational qualifications such as the master's or doctoral degrees and additional roles like department heads, advisors for clubs, and extended contracts during summer programs. For school counselors looking to maximize their pay in this market, gaining advanced certifications or pursuing leadership roles within schools may be beneficial strategies to enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Williamsburg, 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 $58,771 for school counselorsin the Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg 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