School Counselor Pay

Evans vs Fort Collins: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Evans, CO and Fort Collins, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Evans, CO
$58,017
$27.89/hr
Fort Collins, CO
$65,726
$31.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEvans, COFort Collins, CO
Median Salary$58,017$65,726
Hourly Rate$27.89$31.60
Entry Level (P10)$44,178$53,725
25th Percentile$48,143$60,166
75th Percentile$73,847$76,607
Top Earner (P90)$89,927$81,997
Total Employed5530
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Evans ($58,017) and Fort Collins ($65,726) school counselor salaries.EvansFort CollinsMedian Salary$58,017$65,726Entry Level (P10)$44,178$53,725Top Earner (P90)$89,927$81,997US Median $64,335

Verdict

Fort Collins, CO offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Evans.

The salary gap between Evans and Fort Collins is $7,709 (13.29%). Fort Collins's median is +2.16% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Evans spans $45,749,Fort Collins spans $28,272. Evans has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Evans
P10 (Entry)$44,178
P25$48,143
Median$58,017
P75$73,847
P90 (Top)$89,927
Fort Collins
P10 (Entry)$53,725
P25$60,166
Median$65,726
P75$76,607
P90 (Top)$81,997

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Collins ($64,993 effective) pays 17.63% more than Evans ($55,254 effective).

Evans
Nominal: $58,017
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $55,254
Fort Collins
Nominal: $65,726
CoL Index: 101.128
Adjusted: $64,993

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Evans if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($89,927)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Fort Collins if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,726/year)
  • Larger job market (530 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,993)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Evans grew -16.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.8% growth in Fort Collins over the same period.

Evans, CO

+-16.5%

$68,070 (2024) → $56,852 (2025)

Fort Collins, CO

+28.8%

$49,990 (2019) → $64,406 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Evans or Fort Collins?

Fort Collins has a higher median school counselor salary at $65,726/year, compared to Evans at $58,017/year — a difference of $7,709 (13.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Evans and Fort Collins?

Evans school counselors earn $27.89/hr while Fort Collins hygienists earn $31.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Evans to Fort Collins as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Evans and Fort Collins. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Evans = $55,254, Fort Collins = $64,993), job availability (5 vs 530 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Evans vs Fort Collins?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $44,178 in Evans and $53,725 in Fort Collins. The Fort Collins area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

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.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, M.A.Data verified by Linda Chen, LPC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.05% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov