School Counselor Salary Overview
The School Counselor is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $62,570. Compensation typically ranges from $38,600 for entry-level positions to $96,200 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical School Counselor in the US earns between $38,600 and $96,200 per year, with a median of $62,570.
School Counselor Salary by Experience
Entry-level school counselors earn around $40,670, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $84,470 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $41,296 | $20/hr | $34,387 |
| Mid | $62,570 | $30/hr | $50,210 |
| Senior | $80,090 | $39/hr | $61,143 |
| Lead | $88,224 | $42/hr | $66,109 |
School Counselor Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a School Counselor in each US state.
Pay for school counselors varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,964 | $4,787 | $49,350 | 21.1% |
| Alaska | $62,570 | $5,470 | $0 | $4,787 | $52,313 | 16.4% |
| Arizona | $62,570 | $5,470 | $1,199 | $4,787 | $51,114 | 18.3% |
| Arkansas | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,527 | $4,787 | $49,787 | 20.4% |
| California | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,104 | $4,787 | $50,210 | 19.8% |
| Colorado | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,093 | $4,787 | $50,220 | 19.7% |
| Connecticut | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,691 | $4,787 | $49,622 | 20.7% |
| Delaware | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,906 | $4,787 | $49,408 | 21.0% |
| District of Columbia | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,718 | $4,787 | $49,595 | 20.7% |
| Florida | $62,570 | $5,470 | $0 | $4,787 | $52,313 | 16.4% |
| Georgia | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,776 | $4,787 | $49,537 | 20.8% |
| Hawaii | $62,570 | $5,470 | $4,234 | $4,787 | $48,079 | 23.2% |
| Idaho | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,782 | $4,787 | $49,531 | 20.8% |
| Illinois | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,960 | $4,787 | $49,354 | 21.1% |
| Indiana | $62,570 | $5,470 | $1,908 | $4,787 | $50,405 | 19.4% |
| Iowa | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,378 | $4,787 | $49,936 | 20.2% |
| Kansas | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,909 | $4,787 | $49,404 | 21.0% |
| Kentucky | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,376 | $4,787 | $49,937 | 20.2% |
| Louisiana | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,078 | $4,787 | $50,236 | 19.7% |
| Maine | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,990 | $4,787 | $49,323 | 21.2% |
| Maryland | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,798 | $4,787 | $49,515 | 20.9% |
| Massachusetts | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,908 | $4,787 | $49,405 | 21.0% |
| Michigan | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,421 | $4,787 | $49,892 | 20.3% |
| Minnesota | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,804 | $4,787 | $49,509 | 20.9% |
| Mississippi | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,363 | $4,787 | $49,951 | 20.2% |
| Missouri | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,132 | $4,787 | $50,181 | 19.8% |
| Montana | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,584 | $4,787 | $49,729 | 20.5% |
| Nebraska | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,133 | $4,787 | $50,180 | 19.8% |
| Nevada | $62,570 | $5,470 | $0 | $4,787 | $52,313 | 16.4% |
| New Hampshire | $62,570 | $5,470 | $0 | $4,787 | $52,313 | 16.4% |
| New Jersey | $62,570 | $5,470 | $1,964 | $4,787 | $50,349 | 19.5% |
| New Mexico | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,071 | $4,787 | $50,242 | 19.7% |
| New York | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,979 | $4,787 | $49,335 | 21.2% |
| North Carolina | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,242 | $4,787 | $50,072 | 20.0% |
| North Dakota | $62,570 | $5,470 | $935 | $4,787 | $51,378 | 17.9% |
| Ohio | $62,570 | $5,470 | $1,002 | $4,787 | $51,311 | 18.0% |
| Oklahoma | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,482 | $4,787 | $49,832 | 20.4% |
| Oregon | $62,570 | $5,470 | $4,950 | $4,787 | $47,364 | 24.3% |
| Pennsylvania | $62,570 | $5,470 | $1,921 | $4,787 | $50,393 | 19.5% |
| Rhode Island | $62,570 | $5,470 | $1,951 | $4,787 | $50,363 | 19.5% |
| South Carolina | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,377 | $4,787 | $49,936 | 20.2% |
| South Dakota | $62,570 | $5,470 | $0 | $4,787 | $52,313 | 16.4% |
| Tennessee | $62,570 | $5,470 | $0 | $4,787 | $52,313 | 16.4% |
| Texas | $62,570 | $5,470 | $0 | $4,787 | $52,313 | 16.4% |
| Utah | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,910 | $4,787 | $49,404 | 21.0% |
| Vermont | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,189 | $4,787 | $50,125 | 19.9% |
| Virginia | $62,570 | $5,470 | $3,082 | $4,787 | $49,232 | 21.3% |
| Washington | $62,570 | $5,470 | $0 | $4,787 | $52,313 | 16.4% |
| West Virginia | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,315 | $4,787 | $49,998 | 20.1% |
| Wisconsin | $62,570 | $5,470 | $2,228 | $4,787 | $50,085 | 20.0% |
| Wyoming | $62,570 | $5,470 | $0 | $4,787 | $52,313 | 16.4% |
Top Cities for School Counselor Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for school counselors tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $68,827 |
| New York, NY | $68,827 |
| Newark, NJ | $68,827 |
| Portland, OR | $68,827 |
| Hartford, CT | $68,827 |
Calculate School Counselor Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Tax Breakdown
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a School Counselor
Becoming a school counselor typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.School Counselor Career Outlook
Employment of school counselors is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.School Counselor Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for school counselors in the US is $62,570, with a typical range from $38,600 to $96,200 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for school counselors include CA, NJ, NY. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level school counselors can expect to earn around $40,670 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a school counselor can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for school counselors is approximately $30.08, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.