School Counselor Salary in West Allis, WI: $61,816 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in West Allis, WI earns a median $61,816/year (≈ $29.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in West Allis's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $66,184 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the wake of the post-COVID mental health funding expansion, the school counselor salary in West Allis, Wisconsin, is projected to be $61,816 in 2026. This figure represents a competitive position, although it's slightly below the national median of $64,335. Local salaries vary significantly, with a range from $42,094 at the 10th percentile to as high as $95,815 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional cost factors. As mental health has gained prominence in educational policy, the demand for qualified school counselors has surged, positioning West Allis as an attractive location for professionals in this field.
About the West Allis Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,094 | $20.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,929 | $23.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,816 | $29.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,124 | $38.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,815 | $46.07 |
Median Salary Position
3.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Allis
In West Allis, WI, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,721 (2026 est.). At $61,816, the local median is 3.92% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in West Allis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How West Allis School Counselor Pay Compares
West Allis median: $61,816/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Allis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,754 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | -3.92% less |
School Counselors in West Allis, WI earn a median of $61,816 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.92% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.10% above the Wisconsin state average of $61,754.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Allis has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
West Allis, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $61,816 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,184 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,710
2025 BLS Actual
$60,574
2026 Current Est.
$61,816
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in West Allis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,727 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,977 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,629 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,107 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,824 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,574 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,816 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,083 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Allis metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $53,710 (2019) to $60,574 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,083 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,373 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Allis 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) | $42,094 – $47,929 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,929 – $61,816 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,816 – $79,124 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,124 – $95,815 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in West Allis
Currently, there are 13 school counselors employed in West Allis, suggesting a stable job market for this profession. The cost of living index in the area stands at 93.4, highlighting a more affordable environment when compared to the national average. This lower cost of living supports a favorable take-home purchasing power for local counselors, who typically find employment in K-12 public school districts, charter schools, and other educational institutions. Variations in school counselor pay in West Allis largely arise from the step-and-lane pay structure used by districts, which factors in years of service and educational attainment. For those looking to maximize their earning potential, pursuing advanced certifications or taking on additional responsibilities like department head roles can be effective strategies. Understanding this local landscape can be beneficial for aspiring school counselors eager to determine how much do school counselors make in West Allis WI.
More salary data for West Allis, WI:
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 $60,574 for school counselorsin the West Allis 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 West Allis 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