School Counselor Salary in Wisconsin: $62,526 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Wisconsin's 46 metropolitan areas, the average median school counselor pay sits at $62,526/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 21-1012. Because Wisconsin sits at BEA RPP 93.4 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $66,944 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Madison ($66,160), Kenosha ($65,366), Beloit ($63,933).
In 2026, the average median salary for school counselors in Wisconsin is projected to be $62,526, which reflects a 2.8% decrease compared to the national median of $64,335. This positions Wisconsin slightly below the national average for this profession. The highest-paying city in the state is Madison, where school counselors can expect salaries around $67,516, while Wisconsin Rapids offers the lowest average salary at $56,632, resulting in a salary gap of $10,884. This disparity is influenced by factors such as the cost of living in various cities, the demand for qualified counselors, and local funding for educational services. For those considering a career as a school counselor in Wisconsin, it is essential to be aware of the state-specific requirements, including licensure and adherence to practice laws, which dictate the counselors' roles and responsibilities. The demand for school counselors is also expected to grow, with an annual compound growth rate of 2.05% projected through 2026, indicating a healthy job market. The top five cities for projected salaries in 2026 are Madison, Kenosha at $66,706, Beloit at $65,244, Janesville at $65,096, and Racine at $64,635, reflecting the varying needs and resources of different school districts across the state.
Wisconsin School Counselor Salary Range
Overall salary range in Wisconsin: $29,813 (lowest entry-level) to $100,869 (highest top earner)
Wisconsin vs National Average
Wisconsin school counselors earn 2.81% less than the national median ($-1,809/year difference).
Wisconsin School Counselor Salary Distribution (2026)
School Counselor salaries in Wisconsin range from $47,455 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $90,937 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $62,526. The Wisconsin median is $1,809 below the US national median of $64,335. The average hourly rate is $30.06/hr. Approximately 4,239 school counselors are employed across 46 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,452
2025 BLS Actual
$61,270
2026 Current Est.
$62,526
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Wisconsin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,452 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,335 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,978 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,039 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,585 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,753 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,270 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,526 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,807 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 16.8% from $52,452 (2019) to $61,270 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,807 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,355 (21.65%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
Lowest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin Rapids | $56,632 |
| Oshkosh | $56,935 |
| Middleton | $57,105 |
| Platteville | $57,718 |
| Mequon | $57,724 |
Best Value Cities for School Counselors in Wisconsin
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Wisconsin cities offer the most purchasing power for school counselors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beloit | $65,244 | 93.4 | $69,854 |
| Janesville | $65,096 | 93.703 | $69,471 |
| Madison | $67,516 | 97.287 | $69,399 |
| Mount Pleasant | $64,539 | 93.4 | $69,100 |
| Green Bay | $63,245 | 93.086 | $67,943 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Wisconsin
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $47,455 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $62,526 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $90,937 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Wisconsin metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 46 Cities in Wisconsin
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madison | $67,516 |
| 2 | Kenosha | $66,706 |
| 3 | Beloit | $65,244 |
| 4 | Janesville | $65,096 |
| 5 | Racine | $64,635 |
| 6 | Mount Pleasant | $64,539 |
| 7 | Green Bay | $63,245 |
| 8 | Appleton | $61,895 |
| 9 | West Allis | $61,816 |
| 10 | Sheboygan | $61,766 |
| 11 | Waukesha | $61,562 |
| 12 | Onalaska | $61,549 |
| 13 | Fitchburg | $61,406 |
| 14 | Greenfield | $61,401 |
| 15 | Menomonee Falls | $60,869 |
| 16 | Milwaukee | $60,795 |
| 17 | La Crosse | $60,735 |
| 18 | Brookfield | $60,725 |
| 19 | West Bend | $60,691 |
| 20 | De Pere | $60,644 |
| 21 | New Berlin | $60,529 |
| 22 | Sun Prairie | $60,016 |
| 23 | Caledonia | $59,853 |
| 24 | Muskego | $59,724 |
| 25 | Stevens Point | $59,445 |
| 26 | Franklin | $59,379 |
| 27 | Oak Creek | $59,191 |
| 28 | Superior | $59,100 |
| 29 | Manitowoc | $59,072 |
| 30 | Pewaukee | $58,852 |
| 31 | Eau Claire | $58,735 |
| 32 | South Milwaukee | $58,680 |
| 33 | Pleasant Prairie | $58,671 |
| 34 | Menomonie | $58,610 |
| 35 | Whitewater | $58,605 |
| 36 | Wauwatosa | $58,554 |
| 37 | Fond du Lac | $58,526 |
| 38 | Germantown | $58,512 |
| 39 | Marshfield | $58,490 |
| 40 | Wausau | $58,355 |
| 41 | River Falls | $58,201 |
| 42 | Mequon | $57,724 |
| 43 | Platteville | $57,718 |
| 44 | Middleton | $57,105 |
| 45 | Oshkosh | $56,935 |
| 46 | Wisconsin Rapids | $56,632 |
More Wisconsin Salary Data
Explore More School Counselor Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Wisconsin in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for school counselors in Wisconsin?
How does Wisconsin school counselor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level school counselor salary in Wisconsin?
How many school counselors are employed in Wisconsin?
Which Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin. State averages are employment-weighted across 46 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