School Counselor Salary in Amsterdam, NY: $58,097 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Amsterdam, NY earns a median $58,097/year (≈ $27.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Amsterdam's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $50,127 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Amsterdam, NY, school counselors are projected to earn a median annual salary of $58,097 in 2026, which is notably below the national median of $64,335. The salary range for these professionals extends from $45,409 at the 10th percentile to $86,265 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a significant disparity based on experience and educational qualifications. With only six school counselors employed in the area, this local salary data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for regional cost factors, suggests that the job market may be limited for aspiring counselors. Additionally, given the American School Counselor Association's recommended counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250, Amsterdam's current ratio may indicate an under-resourced counseling environment, impacting both job demand and salary levels.
About the Amsterdam Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,409 | $21.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,923 | $23.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,097 | $27.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,283 | $34.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,265 | $41.47 |
Median Salary Position
9.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Amsterdam
In Amsterdam, NY, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,856 (2026 est.). At $58,097, the local median is 9.7% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Amsterdam: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Amsterdam School Counselor Pay Compares
Amsterdam median: $58,097/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Amsterdam Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $62,136 | -6.50% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -9.70% less |
School Counselors in Amsterdam, NY earn a median of $58,097 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.70% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 6.50% below the New York state average of $62,136.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Amsterdam has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Amsterdam, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $58,097 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $50,127 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,479
2025 BLS Actual
$56,930
2026 Current Est.
$58,097
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Amsterdam (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,479 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,434 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,549 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,222 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,611 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,156 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,097 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,288 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Amsterdam metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $50,479 (2019) to $56,930 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,288 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,809 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Amsterdam 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) | $45,409 – $48,923 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,923 – $58,097 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,097 – $71,283 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,283 – $86,265 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Amsterdam
The local job market presents a unique picture for school counselors, with only a small number currently employed in Amsterdam. Given the area's higher cost of living index (115.9), the purchasing power of these salaries may be diminished. Schools, particularly within K-12 public districts, often determine compensation through a step-and-lane pay structure based on experience and educational attainment. In Amsterdam, those who hold advanced degrees, such as a master's degree plus 30 credits or a doctorate, may find themselves positioned for higher pay. To maximize compensation, counselors might consider roles that offer additional stipends for leadership or extracurricular responsibilities. Additionally, exploring opportunities in charter schools or affiliated programs can enhance earning potential, as some institutions may offer more competitive salaries or benefits, reflective of the mental health emphasis following the post-COVID funding initiatives.
More salary data for Amsterdam, NY:
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 $56,930 for school counselorsin the Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam 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