School counselor salary
BLS occupation: Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors · also called guidance counselor · Community and social service · data for May 2025
Median salary $64,330 a year, US
Median hourly pay $30.93 an hour
Middle half earn $51,270–$82,870 25th to 75th percentile
School counselors employed 353,310 +2.9% projected by 2035
How much does a school counselor make?
- The median school counselor salary in the US is $64,330 a year ($30.93 an hour): half of the 353,310 school counselors BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $71,430.
- The middle half earn between $51,270 and $82,870. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $45,020 and the top 10% more than $104,770.
- That is 26% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- California pays school counselors the most (median $86,500), followed by Alaska ($82,900) and Washington ($82,670). South Dakota pays the least ($51,830).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in New Mexico, where the median is worth $84,458 in typical US prices, then Alaska and California. California's higher pay is offset by its prices (110.7 vs a US average of 100).
- In 215 of the 377 metro areas with data, the median school counselor salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of school counselors to grow 2.9% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 27,800 openings a year. The typical entry education is a master's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what school counselors are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
School counselor salary range
Half of school counselors earn between $51,270 and $82,870 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $45,020
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $51,270
Median Yearly pay: $64,330
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $82,870
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $104,770
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $45,020 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $51,270 |
| Median | $64,330 |
| Top 25% earn over | $82,870 |
| Top 10% earn over | $104,770 |
School counselor salary by state
California pays school counselors the most; South Dakota the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($64,330), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| California | $86,500 median |
| Alaska | $82,900 median |
| Washington | $82,670 median |
| District of Columbia | $80,470 median |
| Massachusetts | $79,930 median |
| New Jersey | $77,910 median |
| New Mexico | $77,880 median |
| Maryland | $75,820 median |
| Rhode Island | $75,000 median |
| Delaware | $74,070 median |
| Connecticut | $73,910 median |
| New York | $71,610 median |
| New Hampshire | $71,080 median |
| Texas | $67,900 median |
| Virginia | $67,660 median |
| Nevada | $66,710 median |
| Oregon | $66,690 median |
| Colorado | $64,780 median |
| Minnesota | $64,600 median |
| Vermont | $64,570 median |
| Kentucky | $64,350 median |
| Georgia | $63,720 median |
| Wyoming | $63,430 median |
| Wisconsin | $62,690 median |
| Nebraska | $62,500 median |
| Illinois | $62,420 median |
| Louisiana | $61,870 median |
| Ohio | $61,760 median |
| Hawaii | $61,730 median |
| Utah | $61,320 median |
| Pennsylvania | $60,880 median |
| South Carolina | $60,340 median |
| Idaho | $60,320 median |
| Tennessee | $59,960 median |
| Arkansas | $59,770 median |
| Alabama | $59,570 median |
| Michigan | $59,440 median |
| Indiana | $59,260 median |
| North Dakota | $58,960 median |
| Mississippi | $58,710 median |
| Maine | $58,630 median |
| Arizona | $58,250 median |
| Missouri | $58,040 median |
| Montana | $57,900 median |
| North Carolina | $57,630 median |
| Kansas | $56,590 median |
| Iowa | $56,540 median |
| West Virginia | $55,520 median |
| Florida | $53,140 median |
| Oklahoma | $52,040 median |
| South Dakota | $51,830 median |
Where school counselor pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
School counselors' pay goes furthest in New Mexico once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $84,458 |
| Alaska | $80,989 |
| California | $78,125 |
| Washington | $77,252 |
| Massachusetts | $75,579 |
| Delaware | $74,212 |
| Rhode Island | $73,328 |
| District of Columbia | $73,220 |
| Maryland | $72,238 |
| New Jersey | $71,605 |
School counselor pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $86,500 | $41.59 | $51,890 | $136,660 | 45,140 | $78,125 |
| Alaska | $82,900 | $39.86 | $50,870 | $103,420 | 540 | $80,989 |
| Washington | $82,670 | $39.75 | $57,980 | $125,950 | 6,610 | $77,252 |
| District of Columbia | $80,470 | $38.69 | $50,900 | $113,620 | 1,690 | $73,220 |
| Massachusetts | $79,930 | $38.43 | $59,460 | $117,630 | 11,460 | $75,579 |
| New Jersey | $77,910 | $37.46 | $57,850 | $108,500 | 8,190 | $71,605 |
| New Mexico | $77,880 | $37.44 | $46,660 | $103,110 | 1,780 | $84,458 |
| Maryland | $75,820 | $36.45 | $48,460 | $116,650 | 6,600 | $72,238 |
| Rhode Island | $75,000 | $36.06 | $49,100 | $102,340 | 1,340 | $73,328 |
| Delaware | $74,070 | $35.61 | $47,750 | $96,140 | 1,700 | $74,212 |
| Connecticut | $73,910 | $35.53 | $46,510 | $108,540 | 3,370 | $71,335 |
| New York | $71,610 | $34.43 | $46,100 | $123,850 | 23,380 | $66,354 |
| New Hampshire | $71,080 | $34.17 | $47,990 | $96,630 | 1,650 | $68,238 |
| Texas | $67,900 | $32.64 | $42,380 | $101,830 | 31,730 | $69,959 |
| Virginia | $67,660 | $32.53 | $45,700 | $103,380 | 9,450 | $66,921 |
| Nevada | $66,710 | $32.07 | $46,570 | $94,530 | 2,250 | $66,724 |
| Oregon | $66,690 | $32.06 | $50,190 | $119,780 | 3,990 | $64,521 |
| Colorado | $64,780 | $31.14 | $48,690 | $97,960 | 6,530 | $62,861 |
| Minnesota | $64,600 | $31.06 | $47,870 | $94,100 | 4,200 | $65,503 |
| Vermont | $64,570 | $31.04 | $50,810 | $94,010 | 1,120 | $65,916 |
| Kentucky | $64,350 | $30.94 | $40,840 | $99,390 | 5,030 | $71,374 |
| Georgia | $63,720 | $30.63 | $42,040 | $101,880 | 11,460 | $66,173 |
| Wyoming | $63,430 | $30.50 | $49,440 | $91,330 | 770 | $68,432 |
| Wisconsin | $62,690 | $30.14 | $47,470 | $86,510 | 5,330 | $66,624 |
| Nebraska | $62,500 | $30.05 | $45,050 | $100,160 | 2,190 | $69,365 |
| Illinois | $62,420 | $30.01 | $44,890 | $110,580 | 13,580 | $62,446 |
| Louisiana | $61,870 | $29.75 | $45,340 | $87,940 | 4,820 | $70,142 |
| Ohio | $61,760 | $29.69 | $43,010 | $99,810 | 13,250 | $66,570 |
| Hawaii | $61,730 | $29.68 | $49,350 | $93,720 | 1,620 | $56,143 |
| Utah | $61,320 | $29.48 | $37,260 | $101,780 | 4,070 | $62,025 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,880 | $29.27 | $46,200 | $97,810 | 13,570 | $62,395 |
| South Carolina | $60,340 | $29.01 | $39,800 | $86,250 | 6,460 | $64,363 |
| Idaho | $60,320 | $29.00 | $46,710 | $79,620 | 1,990 | $63,166 |
| Tennessee | $59,960 | $28.83 | $42,410 | $84,550 | 6,470 | $65,266 |
| Arkansas | $59,770 | $28.74 | $38,520 | $78,070 | 2,310 | $68,751 |
| Alabama | $59,570 | $28.64 | $37,670 | $78,570 | 4,410 | $67,066 |
| Michigan | $59,440 | $28.58 | $42,380 | $89,280 | 9,170 | $61,777 |
| Indiana | $59,260 | $28.49 | $41,180 | $82,690 | 5,610 | $63,496 |
| North Dakota | $58,960 | $28.35 | $46,860 | $79,500 | 840 | $66,278 |
| Mississippi | $58,710 | $28.23 | $38,580 | $76,610 | 2,620 | $67,519 |
| Maine | $58,630 | $28.19 | $45,300 | $82,460 | 1,780 | $60,412 |
| Arizona | $58,250 | $28.00 | $46,400 | $82,240 | 7,330 | $57,858 |
| Missouri | $58,040 | $27.90 | $41,890 | $78,740 | 8,890 | $63,909 |
| Montana | $57,900 | $27.84 | $39,180 | $87,610 | 890 | $61,176 |
| North Carolina | $57,630 | $27.71 | $40,400 | $74,070 | 9,430 | $61,097 |
| Kansas | $56,590 | $27.21 | $42,020 | $77,920 | 3,100 | $62,830 |
| Iowa | $56,540 | $27.18 | $43,470 | $77,110 | 3,690 | $64,424 |
| West Virginia | $55,520 | $26.69 | $37,940 | $73,090 | 1,260 | $62,036 |
| Florida | $53,140 | $25.55 | $38,290 | $82,780 | 22,800 | $51,386 |
| Oklahoma | $52,040 | $25.02 | $38,100 | $81,630 | 4,830 | $59,242 |
| South Dakota | $51,830 | $24.92 | $41,560 | $65,990 | 1,000 | $58,508 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
School counselor salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes school counselor pay: 381 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- El Centro, CA $141,760
- Grand Island, NE $109,480
- Bremerton, WA $102,650
- Odessa, TX $101,810
- Yuba City, CA $101,350
- Fresno, CA $101,280
- Sacramento, CA $100,930
- Oxnard, CA $100,790
- Hanford, CA $100,390
- Salinas, CA $100,360
Where the pay goes furthest
- El Centro, CA $148,948
- Grand Island, NE $126,337
- Odessa, TX $108,428
- Eagle Pass, TX $103,240
- Lake Charles, LA $102,432
- Yakima, WA $100,863
- Fresno, CA $99,141
- Hanford, CA $98,797
- Yuba City, CA $97,234
- Bremerton, WA $97,200
All 381 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Centro, CA | $141,760 | 200 | $148,948 | 15% |
| Grand Island, NE | $109,480 | 90 | $126,337 | 15% |
| Bremerton, WA | $102,650 | 150 | $97,200 | 24% |
| Odessa, TX | $101,810 | 120 | $108,428 | 19% |
| Yuba City, CA | $101,350 | 140 | $97,234 | 24% |
| Fresno, CA | $101,280 | 1,210 | $99,141 | 24% |
| Sacramento, CA | $100,930 | 2,730 | $94,619 | 27% |
| Oxnard, CA | $100,790 | 690 | $91,185 | 35% |
| Hanford, CA | $100,390 | 110 | $98,797 | 23% |
| Salinas, CA | $100,360 | 400 | $92,038 | 33% |
| Napa, CA | $99,900 | 120 | $88,757 | 35% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $99,330 | 390 | $91,467 | 34% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $98,480 | 500 | $91,368 | 32% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $97,700 | 830 | $96,842 | 22% |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $96,780 | 90 | $94,472 | 27% |
| Riverside, CA | $96,780 | 3,800 | $90,923 | 31% |
| Visalia, CA | $96,720 | 390 | $96,890 | 22% |
| Yakima, WA | $96,370 | 230 | $100,863 | 17% |
| Chico, CA | $96,080 | 330 | $94,944 | 19% |
| San Jose, CA | $95,390 | 2,440 | $86,386 | 48% |
| San Francisco, CA | $94,600 | 5,270 | $81,825 | 44% |
| Modesto, CA | $94,370 | 430 | $90,646 | 26% |
| Vallejo, CA | $91,670 | 270 | $84,505 | 32% |
| Kennewick, WA | $88,900 | 260 | $88,830 | 23% |
| Casper, WY | $88,180 | 60 | $93,979 | 19% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $87,940 | 850 | $102,432 | 19% |
| Seattle, WA | $87,280 | 3,570 | $78,537 | 31% |
| Eagle Pass, TX | $86,520 | 70 | $103,240 | 16% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $86,500 | 710 | $79,505 | 45% |
| Victoria, TX | $84,430 | 100 | $93,979 | 17% |
| San Diego, CA | $83,520 | 3,900 | $74,647 | 43% |
| Midland, TX | $83,300 | 180 | $86,967 | 23% |
| Olympia, WA | $83,050 | 220 | $80,110 | 30% |
| Merced, CA | $83,020 | 350 | $84,477 | 30% |
| Anchorage, AK | $82,900 | 320 | $78,638 | 27% |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $82,770 | 100 | $91,386 | 19% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $82,300 | 80 | $79,245 | 26% |
| Bend, OR | $82,020 | 200 | $79,165 | 32% |
| Naples, FL | $81,380 | 230 | $78,857 | 38% |
| Sebastian, FL | $80,840 | 70 | $82,231 | 32% |
| Barnstable, MA | $80,820 | 250 | $82,175 | 38% |
| Boston, MA | $80,760 | 8,170 | $74,594 | 44% |
| Brunswick, GA | $80,740 | 100 | $92,055 | 25% |
| McAllen, TX | $80,390 | 990 | $93,591 | 17% |
| Fairbanks, AK | $80,220 | 40 | $77,727 | 28% |
| Billings, MT | $80,140 | 160 | $85,687 | 21% |
| Stockton, CA | $79,840 | 580 | $75,974 | 37% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $79,180 | 810 | $82,871 | 23% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $79,000 | 17,110 | $69,563 | 44% |
| Springfield, MA | $78,870 | 720 | $82,104 | 30% |
| Longview, WA | $78,490 | 90 | $80,465 | 22% |
| Farmington, NM | $78,440 | 100 | $89,434 | 21% |
| Portland, OR | $78,400 | 2,400 | $74,368 | 28% |
| Worcester, MA | $78,040 | 1,170 | $76,120 | 32% |
| New York, NY | $77,580 | 19,890 | $68,921 | 55% |
| Washington, DC | $77,420 | 7,260 | $71,103 | 37% |
| Trenton, NJ | $77,320 | 440 | $74,937 | 39% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $76,730 | 170 | $76,151 | 32% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $76,680 | 810 | $71,755 | 45% |
| Dallas, TX | $76,380 | 7,980 | $74,091 | 26% |
| York, PA | $76,360 | 250 | $79,542 | 22% |
| Kingston, NY | $76,320 | 170 | $75,783 | 32% |
| Spokane, WA | $75,990 | 540 | $75,728 | 24% |
| Houston, TX | $75,930 | 6,480 | $76,985 | 26% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $75,920 | 330 | $76,798 | 32% |
| Providence, RI | $75,910 | 1,920 | $74,588 | 34% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $75,630 | 180 | $79,522 | 28% |
| Salem, OR | $75,510 | 340 | $72,852 | 26% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $75,400 | 180 | $76,341 | 31% |
| Winchester, VA | $75,220 | 150 | $77,989 | 29% |
| Boulder, CO | $75,030 | 530 | $71,320 | 35% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $75,020 | 720 | $68,560 | 36% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $74,990 | 550 | $68,237 | 56% |
| Bloomington, IN | $74,940 | 170 | $78,815 | 28% |
| Baltimore, MD | $74,740 | 3,100 | $71,530 | 31% |
| Dover, DE | $74,620 | 350 | $76,528 | 29% |
| Hartford, CT | $74,360 | 1,160 | $72,373 | 32% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $74,290 | 80 | $78,496 | 22% |
| Hinesville, GA | $73,920 | 50 | $78,694 | 28% |
| New Haven, CT | $73,910 | 550 | $70,687 | 33% |
| Albany, OR | $73,650 | 110 | $72,135 | 27% |
| Kahului, HI | $73,590 | 120 | $67,271 | 52% |
| Norwich, CT | $73,590 | 270 | $73,264 | 34% |
| Louisville, KY | $72,910 | 1,510 | $78,336 | 22% |
| Killeen, TX | $72,800 | 390 | $79,884 | 22% |
| Tyler, TX | $72,770 | 220 | $78,964 | 22% |
| Brownsville, TX | $72,520 | 510 | $84,350 | 25% |
| Monroe, LA | $72,420 | 270 | $86,630 | 20% |
| Decatur, AL | $72,380 | 80 | $82,993 | 18% |
| Dalton, GA | $71,840 | 80 | $79,961 | 23% |
| Medford, OR | $71,340 | 110 | $70,332 | 31% |
| Gettysburg, PA | $71,270 | 80 | $74,723 | 23% |
| El Paso, TX | $70,810 | 960 | $78,755 | 26% |
| Minot, ND | $70,390 | 70 | $80,882 | 21% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $69,840 | 1,830 | $71,308 | 32% |
| Bellingham, WA | $69,800 | 230 | $67,548 | 34% |
| Carson City, NV | $69,690 | 30 | $71,018 | 36% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $69,200 | 190 | $70,600 | 34% |
| Helena, MT | $69,040 | 70 | $72,161 | 29% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $68,450 | 1,610 | $68,303 | 30% |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $68,440 | 160 | $76,458 | 23% |
| Lansing, MI | $68,280 | 980 | $71,880 | 23% |
| Lubbock, TX | $67,900 | 630 | $74,356 | 24% |
| Syracuse, NY | $67,870 | 1,020 | $70,888 | 29% |
| Atlanta, GA | $67,730 | 6,550 | $67,691 | 33% |
| Richmond, VA | $67,620 | 1,480 | $69,100 | 30% |
| Vineland, NJ | $67,620 | 180 | $70,461 | 29% |
| Madison, WI | $67,510 | 910 | $69,393 | 32% |
| Panama City, FL | $67,200 | 160 | $69,068 | 31% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $67,180 | 540 | $67,017 | – |
| Denver, CO | $67,080 | 2,990 | $63,413 | 34% |
| Kenosha, WI | $66,700 | 150 | $65,963 | – |
| Shreveport, LA | $66,610 | 540 | $78,581 | 23% |
| Rochester, MN | $66,570 | 120 | $73,298 | 29% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $66,270 | 160 | $77,159 | 19% |
| Reno, NV | $66,210 | 510 | $65,545 | 37% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $66,190 | 7,050 | $64,542 | 35% |
| Beaumont, TX | $66,000 | 300 | $73,296 | 24% |
| Sandusky, OH | $65,990 | 110 | $73,913 | 33% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $65,790 | 70 | $76,741 | 23% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $65,720 | 530 | $64,987 | 36% |
| Sherman, TX | $65,660 | 150 | $70,022 | 25% |
| Waco, TX | $65,630 | 380 | $70,913 | 26% |
| Omaha, NE | $65,330 | 1,000 | $71,080 | 26% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $65,310 | 220 | $72,423 | 22% |
| Memphis, TN | $65,290 | 1,270 | $70,830 | 26% |
| Lexington, KY | $65,230 | 830 | $70,224 | 29% |
| Janesville, WI | $65,090 | 110 | $69,464 | 24% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $65,020 | 180 | $69,045 | 30% |
| Manchester, NH | $65,020 | 520 | $61,539 | 40% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $64,910 | 110 | $74,071 | 23% |
| Walla Walla, WA | $64,900 | 80 | $65,876 | 27% |
| Chicago, IL | $64,730 | 9,790 | $62,484 | 40% |
| Longview, TX | $64,680 | 260 | $72,280 | 21% |
| Racine, WI | $64,630 | 100 | $67,350 | 27% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $64,600 | 3,050 | $61,628 | 32% |
| Paducah, KY | $64,350 | 70 | $74,753 | 21% |
| Ocala, FL | $64,310 | 260 | $67,528 | 30% |
| Ogden, UT | $64,240 | 650 | $64,017 | 30% |
| Logan, UT | $63,900 | 270 | $66,613 | 27% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $63,760 | 90 | $66,079 | 29% |
| Amarillo, TX | $63,660 | 300 | $69,331 | 25% |
| Staunton, VA | $63,660 | 110 | $69,858 | 27% |
| Allentown, PA | $63,590 | 960 | $63,610 | 35% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $63,500 | 620 | $64,369 | 28% |
| Canton, OH | $63,470 | 370 | $70,991 | 22% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $63,330 | 480 | $63,875 | 39% |
| Green Bay, WI | $63,240 | 300 | $67,937 | 21% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $63,220 | 430 | $68,220 | 27% |
| Raleigh, NC | $63,080 | 1,320 | $64,264 | 32% |
| Birmingham, AL | $63,020 | 870 | $68,766 | 27% |
| Waterbury, CT | $62,970 | 380 | $63,110 | – |
| Albany, NY | $62,920 | 1,240 | $63,194 | 32% |
| Burlington, VT | $62,920 | 480 | $62,329 | 49% |
| Detroit, MI | $62,840 | 3,420 | $62,653 | 29% |
| Cleveland, TN | $62,820 | 110 | $71,322 | 27% |
| Daphne, AL | $62,740 | 170 | $66,258 | 33% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $62,710 | 470 | $62,163 | 37% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $62,640 | 860 | $62,200 | 34% |
| Rockford, IL | $62,610 | 250 | $67,941 | 25% |
| Augusta, GA | $62,600 | 450 | $68,115 | 28% |
| Mankato, MN | $62,440 | 100 | $68,649 | 24% |
| Auburn, AL | $62,270 | 310 | $70,815 | 31% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $62,220 | 100 | $65,587 | 28% |
| Charleston, SC | $62,140 | 1,080 | $61,548 | 39% |
| Ithaca, NY | $62,100 | 230 | $60,106 | 38% |
| Columbus, OH | $62,080 | 2,440 | $65,026 | 29% |
| Altoona, PA | $62,060 | 100 | $69,335 | 19% |
| Binghamton, NY | $62,010 | 290 | $66,776 | 31% |
| Buffalo, NY | $62,000 | 1,530 | $64,688 | 28% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $61,980 | 350 | $68,072 | 29% |
| Bismarck, ND | $61,970 | 130 | $68,081 | 25% |
| Topeka, KS | $61,960 | 200 | $69,759 | 24% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $61,940 | 270 | $66,146 | 33% |
| Appleton, WI | $61,890 | 180 | $66,967 | 23% |
| Houma, LA | $61,870 | 120 | $72,700 | 25% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $61,830 | 2,470 | $64,832 | 30% |
| Traverse City, MI | $61,780 | 100 | $66,165 | 36% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $61,760 | 90 | $65,692 | 26% |
| North Port, FL | $61,670 | 550 | $60,215 | 41% |
| Little Rock, AR | $61,660 | 520 | $68,999 | 24% |
| Texarkana, TX | $61,650 | 130 | $73,382 | 24% |
| Cleveland, OH | $61,620 | 2,410 | $65,607 | 28% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $61,600 | 440 | $67,431 | 31% |
| Gulfport, MS | $61,600 | 270 | $68,440 | 28% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $61,580 | 340 | $66,422 | 32% |
| Austin, TX | $61,570 | 3,500 | $62,784 | 31% |
| Lebanon, PA | $61,490 | 100 | $65,966 | 28% |
| Utica, NY | $61,420 | 370 | $66,272 | 28% |
| Akron, OH | $61,330 | 870 | $65,685 | 26% |
| Roanoke, VA | $61,270 | 320 | $65,447 | 27% |
| Slidell, LA | $61,270 | 170 | $66,076 | – |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $61,240 | 1,430 | $60,713 | 32% |
| Battle Creek, MI | $61,200 | 120 | $67,594 | 22% |
| Portland, ME | $61,130 | 700 | $60,015 | 45% |
| Great Falls, MT | $61,110 | 80 | $63,101 | 28% |
| Huntsville, AL | $61,070 | 430 | $65,616 | 27% |
| Honolulu, HI | $61,030 | 1,170 | $55,001 | 59% |
| Boise, ID | $60,990 | 900 | $61,987 | 38% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $60,980 | 120 | $62,039 | 36% |
| Owensboro, KY | $60,970 | 100 | $68,807 | 24% |
| Reading, PA | $60,960 | 390 | $62,807 | 31% |
| Salisbury, MD | $60,860 | 170 | $63,650 | 38% |
| Corvallis, OR | $60,830 | 240 | $58,481 | 36% |
| Greeley, CO | $60,820 | 340 | $60,713 | 33% |
| Kansas City, MO | $60,820 | 2,240 | $65,721 | 30% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $60,790 | 1,500 | $62,711 | 31% |
| Clarksville, TN | $60,760 | 310 | $66,808 | 27% |
| Lawton, OK | $60,750 | 170 | $70,688 | 22% |
| Watertown, NY | $60,740 | 130 | $69,267 | 30% |
| La Crosse, WI | $60,730 | 160 | $66,177 | 27% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $60,690 | 1,390 | $63,420 | 30% |
| Rochester, NY | $60,670 | 1,560 | $62,524 | 30% |
| Dayton, OH | $60,650 | 980 | $65,430 | 26% |
| Nashville, TN | $60,550 | 1,940 | $62,852 | 36% |
| Pueblo, CO | $60,540 | 240 | $65,975 | 26% |
| San Angelo, TX | $60,530 | 110 | $65,471 | 26% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $60,520 | 4,330 | $58,578 | 34% |
| Lafayette, LA | $60,450 | 310 | $69,316 | 27% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $60,430 | 170 | $63,293 | 34% |
| Laredo, TX | $60,430 | 420 | $69,495 | 22% |
| Parkersburg, WV | $60,420 | 50 | $69,396 | 21% |
| Gainesville, GA | $60,400 | 210 | $62,419 | 34% |
| Kingsport, TN | $60,350 | 220 | $69,812 | 26% |
| Lancaster, PA | $60,220 | 460 | $61,288 | 31% |
| Muskegon, MI | $60,160 | 130 | $65,024 | 26% |
| St. Louis, MO | $60,160 | 3,680 | $63,268 | 28% |
| Crestview, FL | $60,120 | 160 | $61,960 | 39% |
| Columbia, SC | $60,070 | 1,560 | $64,135 | 31% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $60,010 | 240 | $63,240 | 34% |
| Iowa City, IA | $59,850 | 500 | $65,403 | 35% |
| Lima, OH | $59,790 | 140 | $66,679 | 24% |
| Sebring, FL | $59,790 | 60 | $64,659 | 30% |
| Saginaw, MI | $59,720 | 100 | $65,705 | 21% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $59,580 | 330 | $64,361 | 25% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $59,560 | 2,620 | $62,913 | 30% |
| Twin Falls, ID | $59,540 | 110 | $64,642 | 31% |
| Charlotte, NC | $59,530 | 2,070 | $61,152 | 35% |
| Lewiston, ID | $59,530 | 50 | $65,303 | 30% |
| Lafayette, IN | $59,520 | 460 | $63,705 | 30% |
| Peoria, IL | $59,510 | 280 | $65,230 | 23% |
| Lewiston, ME | $59,500 | 120 | $62,806 | 32% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $59,470 | 420 | $59,467 | 38% |
| Hammond, LA | $59,430 | 90 | $70,365 | 27% |
| Huntington, WV | $59,380 | 290 | $67,155 | 22% |
| Duluth, MN | $59,280 | 260 | $66,781 | 27% |
| Sumter, SC | $59,270 | 100 | $67,337 | 30% |
| Scranton, PA | $59,220 | 620 | $63,299 | 28% |
| New Orleans, LA | $59,200 | 770 | $63,933 | 32% |
| Burlington, NC | $59,190 | 190 | $63,511 | 27% |
| Youngstown, OH | $59,180 | 350 | $67,716 | 21% |
| Columbus, GA | $59,120 | 280 | $66,207 | 27% |
| San Antonio, TX | $59,090 | 3,120 | $62,387 | 29% |
| Dothan, AL | $59,070 | 100 | $70,462 | 25% |
| Elkhart, IN | $59,060 | 120 | $65,386 | 24% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $58,990 | 250 | $66,012 | 26% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $58,960 | 190 | $68,034 | 23% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $58,950 | 130 | $62,439 | 29% |
| Redding, CA | $58,890 | 280 | $58,490 | 34% |
| Alexandria, LA | $58,810 | 70 | $68,634 | 21% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $58,800 | 330 | $66,095 | 25% |
| Toledo, OH | $58,770 | 940 | $64,261 | 26% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $58,730 | 190 | $63,289 | 23% |
| Knoxville, TN | $58,640 | 790 | $63,347 | 35% |
| Jackson, MS | $58,620 | 580 | $65,830 | 30% |
| Greenville, SC | $58,590 | 1,240 | $62,824 | 32% |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $58,520 | 90 | $63,856 | 23% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $58,470 | 170 | $62,342 | 31% |
| Durham, NC | $58,460 | 740 | $59,915 | 34% |
| Florence, SC | $58,460 | 290 | $67,370 | 31% |
| Williamsport, PA | $58,430 | 100 | $63,270 | 22% |
| Eugene, OR | $58,380 | 330 | $57,479 | 36% |
| Wausau, WI | $58,350 | 140 | $62,978 | 20% |
| Lakeland, FL | $58,320 | 640 | $60,036 | 37% |
| South Bend, IN | $58,320 | 390 | $62,806 | 26% |
| Florence, AL | $58,250 | 140 | $68,677 | 22% |
| Champaign, IL | $58,230 | 620 | $62,813 | 29% |
| Mansfield, OH | $58,050 | 130 | $65,319 | 18% |
| Abilene, TX | $58,000 | 350 | $64,185 | 41% |
| Beckley, WV | $57,970 | 70 | $65,600 | 22% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $57,930 | 1,130 | $63,814 | 28% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $57,890 | 280 | $61,040 | 27% |
| Weirton, WV | $57,880 | 110 | $65,016 | 17% |
| Athens, GA | $57,870 | 180 | $61,997 | 37% |
| Mobile, AL | $57,800 | 350 | $65,609 | 27% |
| Macon, GA | $57,790 | 300 | $65,279 | 25% |
| Bozeman, MT | $57,670 | 130 | $56,258 | 46% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $57,600 | 450 | $57,469 | 48% |
| Des Moines, IA | $57,580 | 650 | $62,791 | 27% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $57,580 | 320 | $62,602 | 30% |
| Erie, PA | $57,430 | 260 | $63,145 | 24% |
| Provo, UT | $57,400 | 870 | $58,433 | 37% |
| Davenport, IA | $57,360 | 340 | $64,392 | 21% |
| Savannah, GA | $57,320 | 660 | $60,206 | 37% |
| Springfield, IL | $57,210 | 190 | $61,685 | 25% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $57,200 | 310 | $58,216 | 40% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $57,160 | 60 | $64,707 | 39% |
| Miami, FL | $57,110 | 6,250 | $50,028 | 56% |
| Goldsboro, NC | $57,000 | 100 | $64,434 | 32% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $56,930 | 110 | $61,262 | 27% |
| State College, PA | $56,930 | – | $58,835 | 41% |
| Montgomery, AL | $56,840 | 360 | $63,379 | 29% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $56,760 | 480 | $55,457 | 39% |
| Bay City, MI | $56,690 | 100 | $61,673 | 22% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $56,660 | 600 | $61,948 | 32% |
| Wichita, KS | $56,590 | 680 | $63,623 | 26% |
| Monroe, MI | $56,460 | 70 | $60,390 | 27% |
| Springfield, OH | $56,370 | 140 | $62,300 | 26% |
| Sioux City, IA | $56,340 | 120 | $65,168 | 28% |
| Greensboro, NC | $56,230 | 660 | $60,550 | 30% |
| Gadsden, AL | $56,140 | 80 | $65,544 | 23% |
| St. George, UT | $56,120 | 210 | $57,665 | 40% |
| Elmira, NY | $56,060 | 100 | $59,387 | 24% |
| Tampa, FL | $56,060 | 3,230 | $55,565 | 43% |
| Rapid City, SD | $56,040 | 120 | $62,853 | 31% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $55,970 | 120 | $60,781 | 34% |
| Wilmington, NC | $55,890 | 370 | $57,964 | 37% |
| Hickory, NC | $55,870 | 200 | $63,140 | 34% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $55,830 | 150 | $64,632 | 22% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $55,790 | 540 | $60,613 | 33% |
| Asheville, NC | $55,700 | 350 | $57,717 | 37% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $55,520 | 190 | $64,500 | 22% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $55,520 | 1,390 | $55,808 | 36% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $55,520 | 300 | $63,109 | 22% |
| Lincoln, NE | $55,510 | 470 | $60,613 | 28% |
| Jackson, TN | $55,400 | 170 | $64,779 | 30% |
| Midland, MI | $55,120 | 60 | $59,965 | 30% |
| Tucson, AZ | $54,930 | 1,460 | $56,690 | 33% |
| Kankakee, IL | $54,860 | 100 | $56,912 | 29% |
| Albany, GA | $54,500 | 170 | $62,166 | 24% |
| Greenville, NC | $54,480 | 190 | $61,628 | 32% |
| Anniston, AL | $53,840 | 120 | $62,642 | 22% |
| Rome, GA | $53,780 | 70 | $59,649 | 28% |
| Springfield, MO | $53,720 | 740 | $60,642 | 28% |
| Tulsa, OK | $53,660 | 940 | $60,148 | 31% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $53,430 | 150 | $60,970 | 29% |
| Waterloo, IA | $53,220 | 190 | $61,132 | 23% |
| Fargo, ND | $52,960 | 220 | $58,280 | 25% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $52,910 | 200 | $60,264 | 22% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $52,810 | 1,880 | $58,413 | 31% |
| Evansville, IN | $52,740 | 230 | $57,622 | 25% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $52,720 | 140 | $58,440 | 34% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $52,480 | 120 | $58,806 | 29% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $52,420 | 150 | $61,042 | 28% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $52,410 | 410 | $52,240 | 49% |
| Deltona, FL | $52,270 | 480 | $52,603 | 41% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $52,270 | 120 | $59,390 | 29% |
| Wheeling, WV | $52,270 | 100 | $59,181 | 20% |
| Yuma, AZ | $52,090 | 180 | $56,188 | 33% |
| Bloomington, IL | $51,820 | 290 | $55,401 | 30% |
| Manhattan, KS | $51,720 | 170 | $57,363 | 29% |
| Bangor, ME | $51,670 | 250 | $53,540 | 35% |
| Columbia, MO | $51,260 | 700 | $57,313 | 34% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $51,060 | 260 | $56,338 | 30% |
| Joplin, MO | $51,040 | 260 | $59,544 | 29% |
| Missoula, MT | $50,860 | 100 | $52,735 | 38% |
| Lawrence, KS | $50,850 | 230 | $56,348 | 37% |
| Decatur, IL | $50,290 | 100 | $56,875 | 25% |
| Ames, IA | $50,260 | 400 | $56,580 | 28% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $49,960 | 1,090 | $52,289 | 39% |
| Charleston, WV | $49,900 | 170 | $56,246 | 29% |
| Kokomo, IN | $49,660 | 70 | $55,394 | 26% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $49,490 | 130 | $52,594 | 37% |
| College Station, TX | $49,420 | 830 | $54,337 | 37% |
| Johnstown, PA | $49,370 | 140 | $57,454 | 22% |
| Valdosta, GA | $49,330 | 130 | $55,885 | 32% |
| Niles, MI | $49,240 | 140 | $53,307 | 34% |
| Dubuque, IA | $49,150 | 120 | $56,282 | 26% |
| Jackson, MI | $48,870 | 110 | $53,247 | 29% |
| Orlando, FL | $48,840 | 3,620 | $48,157 | 47% |
| Morristown, TN | $48,760 | 120 | $56,459 | 38% |
| Flint, MI | $48,500 | 400 | $52,131 | 26% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $47,800 | 320 | $54,490 | 42% |
| Morgantown, WV | $47,720 | 110 | $51,134 | 34% |
| Muncie, IN | $47,700 | 170 | $54,114 | 26% |
| Gainesville, FL | $47,600 | 1,540 | $49,208 | 41% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $46,900 | 1,120 | $49,937 | 38% |
| Michigan City, IN | $46,640 | 130 | $50,871 | 31% |
| Pensacola, FL | $46,270 | 440 | $47,351 | 45% |
| Enid, OK | $45,780 | 70 | $54,326 | 29% |
| Johnson City, TN | $45,250 | 180 | $51,463 | 39% |
What the median school counselor salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $64,330 |
| Month | $5,361 |
| Every two weeks | $2,474 |
| Week | $1,237 |
| Hour | $30.93 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a school counselor: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Master's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +2.9% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 27,800 |
| Self-employed | 0.6% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Mental health counselor | $59,350 | Master's degree |
| Social worker | $59,550 | Bachelor's degree |
| Marriage and family therapist | $66,940 | Master's degree |
| Probation officer | $66,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| Community health worker | $51,850 | High school diploma |
Questions about school counselor pay
How much does a school counselor make an hour?
The median is $30.93 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $21.65 and the top 10% over $50.37.
How much does a school counselor make a month?
About $5,361 a month before taxes at the median salary of $64,330, or $2,474 every two weeks.
What state pays school counselors the most?
California, with a median of $86,500. Alaska ($82,900), Washington ($82,670), the District of Columbia ($80,470) and Massachusetts ($79,930) follow.
Where do school counselors make the most after cost of living?
New Mexico: its median of $77,880 is worth $84,458 at typical US prices. Alaska, California and Washington come next.
How much do entry-level school counselors make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of school counselors earn under $45,020 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $51,270, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a school counselor?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a master's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 21-1012 (Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.