School Counselor Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$65,000
national median salary
$52,000 to $83,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $64,330 for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors (SOC 21-1012) across the United States, based on 353,310 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$45,020
25th percentile
$51,270
Median
$64,330
75th percentile
$82,870
90th percentile
$104,770
Workers surveyed
353,310
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$65,140
May 2025 release
$64,330
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors (SOC 21-1012) rather than School Counselorspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 21-1012Highest Paying
$91,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$68,000
Newark, NJ
Lowest Paying
$50,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 21-1012. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average School Counselor salary in the United States at $65,000 in 2026, within a range of $52,000 to $83,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $91,000, while Newark offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. State licensure requirements, school level assignment, and district funding levels drive pay variance.
School Counselor salary by city.
Skills that increase School Counselor pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for School Counselors based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $9,100 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$9,100 per year
≈ +$8,450 per year
≈ +$7,800 per year
≈ +$7,150 per year
≈ +$7,150 per year
≈ +$6,500 per year
≈ +$6,500 per year
≈ +$5,850 per year
What you should know.
State licensure requirements, school level assignment, and district funding levels drive pay variance. Counselors in well-funded suburban districts or states with mandated counselor-to-student ratios earn significantly more. Advanced certifications in college counseling or trauma-informed care add salary value.
Entry-level School Counselors earn $46,000 to $52,000. Experienced counselors with five to ten years reach $58,000 to $70,000. Lead Counselors and Department Heads earn $72,000 to $85,000, while Directors of School Counseling and Student Services command $88,000 to $110,000.
School counselors typically work 10 to 11 months, with optional summer employment adding $3,000 to $6,000. Pension benefits and comprehensive health insurance add $15,000 to $25,000 in effective value. Some districts offer tuition reimbursement for doctoral studies.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote School Counselors typically earn $59,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about School Counselor pay.
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