New Hampshire School Counselor
School counselors in New Hampshire earn a median salary of $68,410 per year and work with students from pre-K through 12th grade. The state projects about 190 job openings annually through 2032. You’ll need a master’s degree in school counseling, supervised fieldwork, and New Hampshire certification to practice.
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New Hampshire has approximately 1,530 school counselors working across the state, serving more than 200,000 students statewide from kindergarten through graduation. The work spans academic planning, social-emotional support, and career readiness — and it looks different at every grade level.
What School Counselors Do in New Hampshire
A ninth grader at a Concord high school is falling behind in math and starting to withdraw from her friend group. Her teacher flags the pattern. By the end of the week, she’s meeting with the school counselor — not just to talk about grades, but to unpack what’s going on at home and figure out what kind of support she actually needs. That’s what this work looks like on a Tuesday afternoon.
New Hampshire school counselors work within the New Hampshire Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program (NHCGCP) framework, supported by the New Hampshire Department of Education as a model for delivering structured, accountable counseling services across the state. The NHCGCP aligns with the ASCA National Model, which organizes school counseling into three domains: academic, career, and social-emotional development.
Day-to-day, counselors work across all three. At the elementary level, that might mean classroom lessons on conflict resolution or helping a seven-year-old navigate a family transition. In middle school, counselors shift toward social dynamics, study skills, and early career awareness. By high school, the focus often turns to college applications, financial aid navigation, and post-graduation planning — though social-emotional support never goes away at any level.
Counselors in New Hampshire also serve as consultants within their schools. They work alongside teachers and administrators on individual student plans, contribute to multi-tiered support systems, and often coordinate with outside agencies when a student’s needs go beyond what the school can address alone. It’s a role that’s equal parts relationship builder, problem solver, and advocate.
Job Outlook in New Hampshire
According to state labor market projections, New Hampshire expects about 190 average annual job openings for school counselors through 2032, with total employment projected to grow 7.8% over that period. That’s a steady market — not explosive, but reliable — particularly in a state where counselor-to-student ratios remain a priority for the Department of Education.
The state currently employs approximately 1,530 school counselors. Openings arise from a mix of new positions and retirements, creating opportunities across experience levels. Entry-level counselors with the right preparation will find openings, especially in smaller districts that have historically had a harder time attracting and retaining staff.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for New Hampshire school counselors is $68,410 per year — above the national median of $65,140.
School Counselor Salary in New Hampshire
New Hampshire school counselors earn a median salary of $68,410 per year, which sits above the national median of $65,140, according to May 2024 BLS data. Salaries vary by district, experience level, and location within the state.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $49,240 |
| 25th | $57,780 |
| Median (50th) | $68,410 |
| 75th | $83,910 |
| 90th | $100,610 |
| Region | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Central New Hampshire | $74,090 |
| Northern New Hampshire | $61,350 |
| Southwestern New Hampshire | $62,120 |
- Steady job market — New Hampshire projects about 190 annual openings through 2032, with 7.8% employment growth over that period.
- Above-average pay — The state median of $68,410 per year tops the national median of $65,140, per BLS May 2024 data.
- Grade-level variety — The work shifts meaningfully from elementary to middle to high school, but student support stays at the center of all of it.
- Structured framework — New Hampshire counselors work within the NHCGCP model, giving the profession clear accountability standards and program expectations.
- No standalone licensing exam — New Hampshire does not have a standalone licensing exam requirement, though candidates may need to meet testing or program requirements depending on their preparation pathway. See the New Hampshire School Counselor Certification page for full details.
Ready to explore your path to becoming a New Hampshire school counselor?
