EducationUpdated Q1 2026

School Counselor Salary
in Worcester, MA

Support student academic achievement, social development, and college and career planning. Median salary in Worcester: $71K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$71K
per year
Take-home: $46K

Salary range in Worcester

Entry level (25th)$55,000
Median (50th)$71,000
Senior (75th)$92,000
Top earner (90th)$115,000
Data freshness

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

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What the numbers say for Worcester

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

15% premium vs national median

School Counselors in Worcester earn approximately 15% higher than the US national median for this role — a $9,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Worcester's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Worcester's cost-of-living index (120), the median School Counselor salary buys the equivalent of $59,167 in a US-average-cost city. That's $2,833 less purchasing power than the national median — the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.

Rent eats 47% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Worcester ($1,800/mo) consumes approximately 47% of an after-tax median School Counselor salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($92K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Key facts for Worcester

Median salary
$71K
annual
Take-home pay
$46K
after fed/state tax
COL index
120
100 = US avg
State income tax
5%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,800
per month
YoY growth
+3%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Worcester 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 $71K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Worcester

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

HistoricalProjected
School Counselor salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$59K$64K$70K$75K$80K201920212023202520272029
2026
$73K
projected
2027
$75K
projected
2028
$76K
projected
2029
$78K
projected
2030
$80K
projected

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

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$71,000+$0
2028 projected$71,000+$0
2029 projected$71,000+$0
2030 projected$71,000+$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 Worcester, Massachusetts: Complete Guide (2026)

The median School Counselor salary in Worcester, MA is $71,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Worcester–MA 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 Worcester

Entry-level School Counselors in Worcester with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $55,000 and $71,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $71,000 to $92,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $92,000 to $115,000 or more.

Cost of living in Worcester for School Counselors

Worcester has a cost of living index of 120 compared to the US national average of 100. Worcester's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. Massachusetts has a 5% 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
Worcester (current)$71K120
Boston$74K162
Springfield$65K105
Cambridge$115K185
Lowell$73K118