School Counselor Salary in 2026
School counselors support students' academic, career, and social-emotional development through individual and group counseling. They help with college planning and crisis intervention.
Median Salary
$65,000
$5,417/mo
Entry Level
$47,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$80,000
experienced
Job Growth
+5%
10-yr outlook
School Counselor Overview
School counselors support students' academic, career, and social-emotional development through individual and group counseling. They help with college planning and crisis intervention.
Education
Master's Degree
Experience
0-3 years
Industry
Education
Total Jobs (US)
330K
5-Year Growth
+10%
Category
Education
Hourly Rate
$31.25/hr
Monthly Pay
$5,417
School Counselor Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated School Counselor salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated School Counselor Salary
$69,000
$5,750/month · $2,654/biweekly · $33.17/hr
School Counselor Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the School Counselor field.
Entry-level School Counselors earn around $47,000, while the top 10% earn $85,000 or more.
Top Paying States for School Counselors
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $77,000 | +$12,000 |
| New York | $75,000 | +$10,000 |
| New Jersey | $72,000 | +$7,000 |
| Texas | $64,000 | $-1,000 |
| Florida | $64,000 | $-1,000 |
Top Paying Cities for School Counselors
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $77,000 | +$12,000 |
| Los Angeles | $73,000 | +$8,000 |
| Newark | $70,000 | +$5,000 |
| Miami | $66,000 | +$1,000 |
| Houston | $64,000 | $-1,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
School Counselor Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a School Counselor from entry level to expert.
$47,000
0-2 years
$64,000
3-7 years
$80,000
8-14 years
$90,000
15+ years
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School Counselor Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — School Counselor Salary
How we calculate School Counselor salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $65,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to School Counselor in the Education sector.
- Entry-level ($47,000) and senior-level ($80,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +5% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 330K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 10% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Education sector wages.
- Education requirement: Master's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $65,000.
Authoritative US data sources for School Counselor compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — School Counselor job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Education
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: School Counselor salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Counseling, College Advising, Crisis Intervention), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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