School Counselor Salary in Bristol, CT: $73,327 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Bristol, CT earns a median $73,327/year (≈ $35.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $67,958 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bristol, CT, the projected median annual salary for school counselors in 2026 is $73,327, which reflects a robust 13.98% increase compared to the national median of $64,335. This salary range highlights the sector’s diversity, ranging from $48,891 at the 10th percentile to $113,657 at the 90th percentile. The positive impact of post-COVID mental health funding expansion is evident as schools increase hiring to address the escalating mental health needs of students, consequently driving up the demand for qualified school counselors. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, paint an optimistic picture of the job market for school counselors in Bristol.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,891 | $23.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,472 | $29.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,327 | $35.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,858 | $45.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,657 | $54.65 |
Median Salary Position
13.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, CT, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,766 (2026 est.). At $73,327, the local median is 13.98% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol School Counselor Pay Compares
Bristol median: $73,327/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $73,918 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +13.98% more |
School Counselors in Bristol, CT earn a median of $73,327 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.98% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.80% below the Connecticut state average of $73,918.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $73,327 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $67,958 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,711
2025 BLS Actual
$71,854
2026 Current Est.
$73,327
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,711 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,918 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,587 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,174 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,928 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,854 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,327 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,830 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $63,711 (2019) to $71,854 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,830 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,119 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $48,891 – $60,472 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,472 – $73,327 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,327 – $93,858 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,858 – $113,657 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Bristol
Looking at the local employment landscape, Bristol currently has 13 school counselors, signaling a specialized yet competitive job environment. With a cost-of-living index of 107.9, living expenses are above the national average, which directly influences take-home pay and purchasing power for school counselors. K-12 public school districts are among the top employers offering competitive salaries. The disparities in pay can be attributed to various factors, including the step-and-lane pay structure that reflects years of experience and education levels, as well as additional compensation for extended contracts and stipends for extracurricular oversight. For those pursuing the highest pay potential in Bristol’s school counseling sector, seeking positions in districts with robust mental health programs or engaging in continuous education to qualify for advanced salary brackets can be advantageous.
More salary data for Bristol, CT:
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 $71,854 for school counselorsin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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