School Counselor Salary in Whitewater, WI: $58,605 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Whitewater, WI earns a median $58,605/year (≈ $28.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Whitewater's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $62,746 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Whitewater, Wisconsin, school counselors can expect a median annual salary of $58,605 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $64,335. This compensation package offers a salary range from $42,304 at the tenth percentile to $90,838 at the ninetieth percentile. The statistics, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, provide a snapshot of the local job market. Given the ASCA recommendation of a 1:250 counselor-to-student ratio, Whitewater's districts may face challenges in providing adequate support, heightening the demand for skilled professionals in this essential role.
About the Whitewater Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,304 | $20.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,757 | $22.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,605 | $28.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,677 | $34.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,838 | $43.67 |
Median Salary Position
8.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Whitewater
In Whitewater, WI, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,534 (2026 est.). At $58,605, the local median is 8.91% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Whitewater: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Whitewater School Counselor Pay Compares
Whitewater median: $58,605/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Whitewater Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,755 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -8.91% less |
School Counselors in Whitewater, WI earn a median of $58,605 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.91% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.10% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,755.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Whitewater 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.
Whitewater, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $58,605 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,746 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,920
2025 BLS Actual
$57,428
2026 Current Est.
$58,605
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Whitewater (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,920 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,884 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,018 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,688 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,089 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,718 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,428 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,605 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,807 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Whitewater metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $50,920 (2019) to $57,428 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,807 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,887 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Whitewater 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) | $42,304 – $46,757 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,757 – $58,605 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,605 – $71,677 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,677 – $90,838 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Whitewater
The local employment scene shows that Whitewater has only four school counselors actively employed, which indicates a compact job market potentially influenced by the relatively low cost of living index at 93.4. While the financial compensation might seem limited, it may also allow for reasonable take-home pay relative to living expenses. K-12 public school districts typically offer structured pay based on the step-and-lane model, where experience and education level play significant roles in salary determination. Encouragingly, opportunities for additional income may arise from extended contracts, summer programs, or leadership stipends, which can enhance overall earnings. For those exploring how much school counselors make in Whitewater, maximizing their pay could involve seeking higher education qualifications or negotiating for roles that tap into the growing need for mental health support in schools post-COVID.
More salary data for Whitewater, 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 $57,428 for school counselorsin the Whitewater 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 Whitewater 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