School Counselor Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · High Demand
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $98,936 | +55.0% | High |
| District of Columbia | $97,022 | +52.0% | High |
| California | $90,639 | +42.0% | High |
| New York | $88,085 | +38.0% | High |
| Alaska | $84,256 | +32.0% | High |
| Massachusetts | $82,979 | +30.0% | High |
| New Jersey | $81,702 | +28.0% | High |
| Washington | $79,788 | +25.0% | High |
| Connecticut | $77,873 | +22.0% | High |
| Maryland | $73,404 | +15.0% | High |
| Rhode Island | $73,404 | +15.0% | High |
| New Hampshire | $72,766 | +14.0% | High |
| Oregon | $71,490 | +12.0% | High |
| Colorado | $70,213 | +10.0% | High |
| Virginia | $70,213 | +10.0% | High |
| Vermont | $68,936 | +8.0% | High |
| Delaware | $67,022 | +5.0% | High |
| Illinois | $67,022 | +5.0% | High |
| Maine | $65,107 | +2.0% | High |
| Nevada | $65,107 | +2.0% | High |
| Minnesota | $63,830 | +0.0% | High |
| Utah | $63,830 | +0.0% | High |
| Arizona | $63,192 | -1.0% | High |
| Pennsylvania | $63,192 | -1.0% | High |
| Florida | $62,553 | -2.0% | High |
| Montana | $60,638 | -5.0% | High |
| Texas | $60,638 | -5.0% | High |
| Georgia | $59,362 | -7.0% | High |
| Idaho | $59,362 | -7.0% | High |
| Wyoming | $59,362 | -7.0% | High |
| North Dakota | $58,724 | -8.0% | High |
| Wisconsin | $58,724 | -8.0% | High |
| North Carolina | $58,085 | -9.0% | High |
| Michigan | $57,447 | -10.0% | High |
| Louisiana | $56,170 | -12.0% | High |
| Nebraska | $56,170 | -12.0% | High |
| New Mexico | $56,170 | -12.0% | High |
| Ohio | $56,170 | -12.0% | High |
| South Carolina | $56,170 | -12.0% | High |
| Tennessee | $56,170 | -12.0% | High |
| Alabama | $55,532 | -13.0% | High |
| Missouri | $55,532 | -13.0% | High |
| South Dakota | $55,532 | -13.0% | High |
| Iowa | $54,894 | -14.0% | High |
| Indiana | $54,256 | -15.0% | High |
| Kansas | $54,256 | -15.0% | High |
| Oklahoma | $53,617 | -16.0% | High |
| Arkansas | $52,979 | -17.0% | High |
| Kentucky | $52,979 | -17.0% | High |
| Mississippi | $51,064 | -20.0% | High |
| West Virginia | $49,787 | -22.0% | High |
A School Counselor's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level School Counselors typically earn $41,834–$53,492 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $79,723–$89,433 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The School Counselor role currently has high demand in the job market with a 3.8% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Education sector.
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What is the average salary for a School Counselor?The average salary for a School Counselor in the United States is $63,830 per year, with a median of $61,410.
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What is the starting salary for a School Counselor?Entry-level School Counselors typically earn between $41,834 and $53,492 per year depending on location and employer.
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What state pays School Counselors the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay School Counselors the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
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How much does a School Counselor make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $63,830, a School Counselor earns approximately $30.69 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
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Is School Counselor a good career in 2026?Yes — the School Counselor role has high demand with 3.8% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.