EducationUpdated Q1 2026

School Counselor Salary
in Honolulu, HI

Support student academic achievement, social development, and college and career planning. Median salary in Honolulu: $68K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$68K
per year
Take-home: $40K

Salary range in Honolulu

Entry level (25th)$53,000
Median (50th)$68,000
Senior (75th)$88,000
Top earner (90th)$110,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Honolulu, Hawaii. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →

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What the numbers say for Honolulu

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.

10% premium vs national median

School Counselors in Honolulu earn approximately 10% higher than the US national median for this role — a $6,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Honolulu's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Honolulu's cost-of-living index (192), the median School Counselor salary buys the equivalent of $35,417 in a US-average-cost city. That's $26,583 less purchasing power than the national median — the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.

11% state tax = $7,480/yr

Hawaii's 11% state income tax reduces take-home by roughly $7,480 per year at the median salary. A School Counselor relocating to a no-tax state like Texas, Florida, or Tennessee would retain that amount without changing gross pay.

Key facts for Honolulu

Median salary
$68K
annual
Take-home pay
$40K
after fed/state tax
COL index
192
100 = US avg
State income tax
11%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$2,400
per month
YoY growth
+3%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Honolulu School Counselor to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $68K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Honolulu

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
School Counselor salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$57K$62K$67K$72K$77K201920212023202520272029
2026
$70K
projected
2027
$71K
projected
2028
$73K
projected
2029
$75K
projected
2030
$77K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$68,000+$0
2028 projected$68,000+$0
2029 projected$68,000+$0
2030 projected$68,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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School Counselor Salary in Honolulu, Hawaii: Complete Guide (2026)

The median School Counselor salary in Honolulu, HI is $68,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Honolulu–HI metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for School Counselor in Honolulu

Entry-level School Counselors in Honolulu with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $53,000 and $68,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $68,000 to $88,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $88,000 to $110,000 or more.

Cost of living in Honolulu for School Counselors

Honolulu has a cost of living index of 192 compared to the US national average of 100. Honolulu's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. Hawaii has a 11% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for School Counselor

Master's in School Counseling; state licensure. 10% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

School Counselor salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Honolulu (current)$68K192
Pearl City$115K185
Hilo$96K155