School Counselor Salary
School counselors help students develop academic, career, and social skills. They provide guidance on college planning, address behavioral issues, and support student mental health.
School Counselor Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level school counselors earn around $40,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $60,000. Senior-level school counselors can earn $85,000 or more.
Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for school counselors varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $38,200, while the top 10% earn $94,800.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,200 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,000 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $60,140 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $94,800 |
School Counselor Salary by State
School Counselor salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $102,238, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $49,916.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $102,238 | Details → |
| #2 California | $82,993 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $81,189 | Details → |
| #4 Alaska | $74,574 | Details → |
| #5 New York | $73,371 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $69,161 | Details → |
| #7 Washington | $69,161 | Details → |
| #8 Connecticut | $67,357 | Details → |
| #9 Maryland | $66,154 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $66,154 | Details → |
| #11 Colorado | $63,147 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $63,147 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $63,147 | Details → |
| #14 Virginia | $62,546 | Details → |
| #15 Delaware | $60,741 | Details → |
| #16 Vermont | $60,741 | Details → |
| #17 Florida | $58,937 | Details → |
| #18 Maine | $58,937 | Details → |
| #19 Arizona | $58,336 | Details → |
| #20 Minnesota | $58,336 | Details → |
| #21 Nevada | $58,336 | Details → |
| #22 Utah | $58,336 | Details → |
| #23 Pennsylvania | $57,734 | Details → |
| #24 Illinois | $57,133 | Details → |
| #25 Montana | $57,133 | Details → |
| #26 Idaho | $56,532 | Details → |
| #27 Georgia | $55,930 | Details → |
| #28 New Mexico | $55,930 | Details → |
| #29 North Carolina | $55,329 | Details → |
| #30 Texas | $55,329 | Details → |
| #31 Wisconsin | $55,329 | Details → |
| #32 Wyoming | $55,329 | Details → |
| #33 Louisiana | $54,727 | Details → |
| #34 Indiana | $54,126 | Details → |
| #35 Michigan | $54,126 | Details → |
| #36 Nebraska | $54,126 | Details → |
| #37 North Dakota | $54,126 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $54,126 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $53,525 | Details → |
| #40 South Carolina | $53,525 | Details → |
| #41 Tennessee | $53,525 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $52,923 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $52,923 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $52,322 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $52,322 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $52,322 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $51,720 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $50,518 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $50,518 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $49,916 | Details → |
Key Responsibilities
- ● Counsel students on academic, personal, and career development
- ● Assist with college applications and career planning
- ● Identify and address behavioral and emotional issues
- ● Develop programs to prevent bullying and substance abuse
- ● Collaborate with teachers, parents, and administrators
Top Skills
Education Required
Master's degree
Job Outlook
Faster than average — projected 5% growth over the next decade