Creative & Education Columbia, MD Pop. 104,681

School Counselor Salary in Columbia, Maryland

The median school counselor salary in Columbia, MD is $70,965 per year, which is 18.0% above the national median and 7.3% above the Maryland state average.

City Median
$70,965
vs State Avg
+$4,811
vs National
+$10,825
Cost of Living
118%

School Counselor Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level school counselor earns around $47,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $100,300 per year. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$47,200
+$7,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$70,800
+$10,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$100,300
+$15,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, MD

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $45,076
25th Percentile $55,460
Median (50th) $70,965
75th Percentile $89,916
90th Percentile $111,864

School Counselor Salary in Other Maryland Cities

Silver Spring, MD
$73,371
Pop. 81,015
Germantown, MD
$69,161
Pop. 90,676
Baltimore, MD
$64,951
Pop. 585,708
Waldorf, MD
$63,147
Pop. 77,000

How to Become a School Counselor in Columbia

Education

Most school counselor positions require a master's degree. Columbia and the surrounding Maryland area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

CounselingCollege PlanningCrisis InterventionGroup FacilitationActive ListeningStudent Assessment

Job Outlook

Nationally, school counselor employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.