Entry-Level School Counselor Salary in Somerville, MA: $55,808 (2026)
Quick Answer:New school counselors entering the Somerville, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $55,808 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 21-1012, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Somerville's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $51,436 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($79,533) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduates entering the school counseling profession in Somerville, MA, can anticipate starting salaries around $55,808. This entry-level figure is notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $79,533, creating a gap that new counselors should consider in their financial planning. However, with career and salary growth, newcomers can expect upward mobility, as entry-level pay transitions to around $62,903 at the 25th percentile and potentially reaching the median within a few years of experience. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.05%, Somerville currently appears to be a viable job market for fresh graduates, especially considering the increasing demand for school counselors driven by recent mental health initiatives in schools.
About the Somerville Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Somerville
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Somerville
Entry-level school counselors in Somerville, MA typically start between $55,808 and $62,903 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $67,467 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $79,533 — 23.62% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average school counseling program cost in Massachusetts of $75,000 represents just 134.39% of the starting school counselor pay ($55,808/year) in Somerville. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CACREP-accredited master's programs in school counseling. In-state public institutions are the lowest-cost option; private universities carry higher tuition. Totals reflect tuition and required fees; practicum and internship hours are typically unpaid and add opportunity cost. State licensure requirements may mandate additional coursework.
SC, LSC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Somerville
- 1Research the Somerville market: entry-level school counselor pay ranges from $55,808 to $62,903, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the school counseling field — employers in MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Somerville, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Somerville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Somerville's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
School Counselor Compensation Range
The school counselor wage spread in Somerville is $67,467 ( 120.89%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $55,808, experienced hygienists can earn up to $123,275.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$41,762
2025 BLS Actual
$54,687
2026 Current Est.
$55,808
2019–2027 Growth
+36.4%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Somerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,762 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,269 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,613 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,759 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,026 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,687 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,808 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,952 | Projected |
Entry-level school counselor compensation (10th percentile) in Somerville, MA grew 30.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $41,762 in 2019 to $54,687 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $56,952. New graduates entering the Somerville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Somerville 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.
Starting Your school counseling Career in Somerville
In Somerville, public school districts primarily hire newly graduated school counselors, often adhering to a structured step-and-lane pay scale that aligns with educational achievements. Charter networks may offer competitive starting salaries, although they lack tenure benefits. School counselors in DoDEA schools can find opportunities overseas, typically accompanied by a cost-of-living adjustment. To enhance earning potential in Massachusetts, candidates should aim for a Master's degree from a CACREP accredited program, attain state certification, and consider additional certifications such as the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The current high counselor-to-student ratios, which far exceed the ASCA's recommended 1:250, enable new professionals to seek opportunities more aggressively in light of recent mental health crisis funding. Given the state’s pay structure, realistic salary advancements in the first three years are attainable as experience and qualifications increase, supporting a more favorable new grad school counselor pay scenario in MA.
More salary data for Somerville, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for school counselors in Somerville in 2026?
How fast do school counselor salaries grow in Somerville?
Is school counseling school worth it in Somerville?
What do new school counselors make right out of school in Somerville?
How do I become a school counselor in Massachusetts?
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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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new school counseling graduates. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Somerville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Somerville 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