School Counselor Salary in Kenosha, WI: $66,706 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Kenosha, WI earns a median $66,706/year (≈ $32.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Kenosha's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.1), that paycheck buys what $65,968 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Kenosha, Wisconsin, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $66,706, which is slightly above the national median of $64,335. The salary range for this role in the area spans from $48,194 at the 10th percentile to $95,569 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected into 2026, suggests a dynamic job market for school counselors, particularly as the field responds to the growing demand for mental health services stemming from post-COVID pressures. Analyzing these figures alongside the American School Counselor Association's recommendation of a 1:250 counselor-to-student ratio indicates that, despite Kenosha's current ratio dynamics, there remains a significant opportunity for growth in staffing, which could further impact salary trends in the near future.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,194 | $23.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,826 | $28.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,706 | $32.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,397 | $36.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,569 | $45.94 |
Median Salary Position
3.69% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kenosha
In Kenosha, WI, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,375 (2026 est.). At $66,706, the local median is 3.69% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kenosha: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kenosha School Counselor Pay Compares
Kenosha median: $66,706/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kenosha Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,765 | +8.00% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +3.69% more |
School Counselors in Kenosha, WI earn a median of $66,706 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.69% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 8.00% above the Wisconsin state average of $61,765.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kenosha has a cost of living 1.12% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kenosha, WI has a cost-of-living index of 101.118 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,706 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $65,968 — a 1.11% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,959
2025 BLS Actual
$65,366
2026 Current Est.
$66,706
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Kenosha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,959 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,056 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,484 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,109 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,704 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,366 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,706 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,073 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kenosha metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $57,959 (2019) to $65,366 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,073 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,114 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kenosha 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) | $48,194 – $58,826 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,826 – $66,706 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,706 – $76,397 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,397 – $95,569 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Kenosha
The local job market in Kenosha employs around 150 school counselors, reflecting a healthy demand for these professionals. With a cost-of-living index at 101.118, the financial realities suggest that take-home purchasing power is slightly above the national average. Leading employers for school counselor pay in Kenosha include public K-12 school districts, which typically follow a step-and-lane pay structure based on experience and education levels, and can offer premium salaries for advanced degrees. Factors driving the salary differences range from district policy, experience, and higher education qualifications, to additional stipends for extra roles such as department heads or summer program facilitators. For those looking to maximize pay in this market, pursuing higher education, seeking positions in districts with higher funding allocations for counseling, and taking advantage of extended contracts may offer effective strategies to enhance compensation.
More salary data for Kenosha, WI:
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 $65,366 for school counselorsin the Kenosha 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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