School Counselor Salary in West Bend, WI: $60,691 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in West Bend, WI earns a median $60,691/year (≈ $29.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in West Bend's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $64,980 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $60,691 for 2026, school counselors in West Bend, WI, receive compensation that is slightly lower than the national median of $64,335. The salary range for these professionals spans from $42,751 at the 10th percentile to $92,936 at the 90th percentile, allowing for variances based on experience, educational credentials, and specific roles within school districts. Local estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, reflecting how local economic conditions can influence overall pay. School counselors in this area will find their salaries aligned primarily with the step-and-lane pay structure typical in K-12 education, emphasizing the importance of higher educational attainment, such as a master's plus additional coursework.
About the West Bend Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,751 | $20.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,933 | $23.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,691 | $29.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,610 | $36.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,936 | $44.68 |
Median Salary Position
5.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Bend
In West Bend, WI, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,185 (2026 est.). At $60,691, the local median is 5.66% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in West Bend: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How West Bend School Counselor Pay Compares
West Bend median: $60,691/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Bend Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,741 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -5.66% less |
School Counselors in West Bend, WI earn a median of $60,691 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.66% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.70% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,741.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Bend 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 Bend, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $60,691 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,980 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,733
2025 BLS Actual
$59,472
2026 Current Est.
$60,691
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in West Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,733 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,731 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,598 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,736 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,472 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,691 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,935 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Bend metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $52,733 (2019) to $59,472 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,935 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,202 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Bend 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) | $42,751 – $47,933 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,933 – $60,691 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,691 – $75,610 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,610 – $92,936 |
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 Bend
In West Bend, the job market for school counselors consists of a modest workforce, with just five employed in the area. This localized supply can directly impact salary offers, especially considering the cost of living index of 93.4, which indicates a more affordable living compared to the national average. The highest-paying employers tend to be local K-12 public school districts, which follow structured pay scales influenced by years of service and educational qualifications. The disparity between the lower and higher salary figures often relates to factors such as advanced degrees, opportunities for summer employment, and additional duties, such as department head roles or extended contracts. Counselors looking to enhance their school counselor pay in West Bend should focus on further education or certifications and seek leadership positions within their schools, particularly as the demand for mental health support continues to rise in the post-COVID landscape.
More salary data for West Bend, 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 $59,472 for school counselorsin the West Bend 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 Bend 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