Education
School Counselor — Career & Salary Intelligence
School Counselor careers, salary ranges across the United States, education requirements, and growth outlook.
National median
$64,330
Entry (p10)
$45,020
Top 10% (p90)
$104,770
Career score
59/100
Moderate Career
Career overview
School Counselor careers, salary ranges across the United States, education requirements, and growth outlook.
Career stability score 75/100. Automation risk 35/100. Remote-work compatibility 40/100.
What the job pays nationally
The published wage distribution for this occupation, before any location adjustment. These are pay percentiles, not years of experience \u2014 the source data does not link the two.
| Percentile | What it means | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | 1 in 10 earn less than this | $45,020 |
| 25th percentile | 1 in 4 earn less than this | $51,270 |
| Median | Half earn more, half earn less | $64,330 |
| 75th percentile | 1 in 4 earn more than this | $82,870 |
| 90th percentile | 1 in 10 earn more than this | $104,770 |
Salary by location
Cost-of-living adjusted mid-level compensation.
| City | COL | Median | p90 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 187 | $77,580 | $129,750 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 176 | $79,000 | $135,030 |
| Chicago, IL | 107 | $64,730 | $110,580 |
| Houston, TX | 96 | $75,930 | $106,510 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 104 | $60,520 | $90,440 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 101 | $66,190 | $100,910 |
| San Antonio, TX | 90 | $59,090 | $97,510 |
| San Diego, CA | 160 | $83,520 | $134,190 |
| Dallas, TX | 103 | $76,380 | $105,190 |
| San Jose, CA | 202 | $95,390 | $156,940 |
| Austin, TX | 119 | $61,570 | $98,340 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 93 | $55,520 | $76,760 |
Salary by education
Approximate compensation by educational attainment.
| Education level | Estimated salary | vs Bachelor's |
|---|---|---|
| High School | $36,000 | -30% |
| Associate Degree | $42,000 | -18% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $51,000 | — |
| Master's Degree | $64,000 | 25% |
| Doctorate / Professional | $80,000 | 55% |
| Professional Certifications | $58,000 | 12% |
10-year career growth forecast
Projected compensation assuming standard market growth.
Certifications that increase earnings
Bar Admission (state)
Required to practice
Approx. uplift: +30%
LLM (specialty)
Specialist premium
Approx. uplift: +10%
Career Opportunity Score breakdown
Overall
59/100
Moderate
Moderate Career
Compensation
40/100
Weak
Growth
80/100
Excellent
Demand
68/100
Strong
Stability
75/100
Strong
Advancement
49/100
Moderate
Remote flexibility
40/100
Weak
Frequently asked questions about School Counselor
Common questions about salary, education, growth, and total compensation.