Salary guide
School Counselor Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What school counselors earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median school counselor salary in the U.S. is $64,330 per year, or $30.93 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $45,020, while the top 10% earned more than $104,770.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
School Counselor pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,020 | $21.64 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $51,270 | $24.65 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $64,330 | $30.93 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $82,870 | $39.84 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $104,770 | $50.37 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $51,270 | $64,330 | $82,870 |
| Per month | $4,273 | $5,361 | $6,906 |
| Every two weeks | $1,972 | $2,474 | $3,187 |
| Per week | $986 | $1,237 | $1,594 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects school counselor pay
- Public versus private schools and centers
- Degree level and state salary schedules
- Subject or specialty shortages (special education, STEM, career and technical education)
- Extra-duty pay for coaching, summer school and tutoring
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a school counselor
- Get credentialed: State school counselor certification, National Certified Counselor (NCC), Global Career Development Facilitator.
- Build specialty experience: Support students.
- Move up: roles such as lead counselor and director of counseling typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
School Counselor pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of school counselors to change by +2.9% from 2025–35, about as fast as average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 27,800 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 21-1012 (“Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
School Counselor salary FAQ
How much does a school counselor make per hour?
The median hourly wage for school counselors was $30.93 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $21.64 and the top 10% earned about $50.37 or more.
How much does a school counselor make a month?
At the median annual wage of $64,330, that works out to about $5,361 per month before taxes, or about $2,474 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a school counselor?
New school counselors often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $45,020 and the 25th percentile was $51,270 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can school counselors earn more?
Common ways include earning State school counselor certification and National Certified Counselor (NCC), gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as lead counselor.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 21-1012 (Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.