School Counselor Pay

Lexington Park vs Potomac: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Lexington Park, MD and Potomac, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lexington Park, MD
$76,736
$36.89/hr
Potomac, MD
$66,832
$32.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLexington Park, MDPotomac, MD
Median Salary$76,736$66,832
Hourly Rate$36.89$32.14
Entry Level (P10)$40,714$45,620
25th Percentile$57,545$55,778
75th Percentile$95,288$85,544
Top Earner (P90)$108,430$103,589
Total Employed17011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lexington Park ($76,736) and Potomac ($66,832) school counselor salaries.Lexington ParkPotomacMedian Salary$76,736$66,832Entry Level (P10)$40,714$45,620Top Earner (P90)$108,430$103,589US Median $64,335

Verdict

Lexington Park, MD offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Potomac.

The salary gap between Lexington Park and Potomac is $9,904 (14.82%). Lexington Park's median is +19.28% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lexington Park spans $67,716,Potomac spans $57,969. Lexington Park has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lexington Park
P10 (Entry)$40,714
P25$57,545
Median$76,736
P75$95,288
P90 (Top)$108,430
Potomac
P10 (Entry)$45,620
P25$55,778
Median$66,832
P75$85,544
P90 (Top)$103,589

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lexington Park ($76,157 effective) pays 24.55% more than Potomac ($61,145 effective).

Lexington Park
Nominal: $76,736
CoL Index: 100.76
Adjusted: $76,157
Potomac
Nominal: $66,832
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $61,145

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lexington Park if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,736/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($108,430)
  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,157)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Potomac if…

  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Lexington Park grew 2.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -20.8% growth in Potomac over the same period.

Lexington Park, MD

+2.3%

$73,470 (2024) → $75,195 (2025)

Potomac, MD

+-20.8%

$82,680 (2024) → $65,489 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Lexington Park or Potomac?

Lexington Park has a higher median school counselor salary at $76,736/year, compared to Potomac at $66,832/year — a difference of $9,904 (14.82%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lexington Park and Potomac?

Lexington Park school counselors earn $36.89/hr while Potomac hygienists earn $32.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lexington Park to Potomac as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lexington Park and Potomac. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lexington Park = $76,157, Potomac = $61,145), job availability (170 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Lexington Park vs Potomac?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $40,714 in Lexington Park and $45,620 in Potomac. The Potomac 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