School Counselor Salary in Milwaukee, WI: $60,795 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Milwaukee, WI earns a median $60,795/year (≈ $29.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Milwaukee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $62,716 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Milwaukee, 2026 projections indicate that the median school counselor salary sits at $60,795, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median of $64,335. The compensation range extends from $47,225 at the 10th percentile to $92,688 at the 90th percentile, highlighting significant pay variation among school counselors in the area. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and suggests that the expansion of mental health funding post-COVID has influenced local hiring practices, ultimately affecting salary levels. With a growing focus on mental health support within schools, Milwaukee’s job market for school counselors appears to be promising, presenting opportunities for both existing professionals and newcomers to the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,225 | $22.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,165 | $24.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,795 | $29.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,367 | $37.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,688 | $44.57 |
Median Salary Position
5.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, WI, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,463 (2026 est.). At $60,795, the local median is 5.5% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milwaukee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Milwaukee School Counselor Pay Compares
Milwaukee median: $60,795/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,784 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -5.50% less |
School Counselors in Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $60,795 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.50% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.60% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,784.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukee has a cost of living 3.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 96.937 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $60,795 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,716 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,800
2025 BLS Actual
$59,574
2026 Current Est.
$60,795
2019–2027 Growth
+22.1%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,574 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,795 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,042 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 17.3% from $50,800 (2019) to $59,574 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,042 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,242 (22.13%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukee 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) | $47,225 – $50,165 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,165 – $60,795 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,795 – $78,367 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,367 – $92,688 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Milwaukee
Milwaukee's job market employs around 1,500 school counselors, reflecting a robust demand amid ongoing efforts to address student mental health needs. However, the cost-of-living index at 96.937 indicates that while salaries may be lower than the national average, purchasing power for local counselors remains competitive. In Milwaukee, K-12 public school districts typically offer the highest pay, especially for those with advanced degrees or additional certifications. Pay scales are influenced by various factors including experience, educational attainment, and roles such as department heads or advisors. To maximize earning potential, counselors should consider pursuing additional qualifications and taking on additional responsibilities, as both are linked to higher compensation. With anticipated annual growth rates at 2.05%, the outlook for school counselor careers in Milwaukee remains positive, making it a favorable time to enter the profession.
More salary data for Milwaukee, 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 $59,574 for school counselorsin the Milwaukee 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, 7-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