How Much Do School Counselors Make?
A school counselor is a psychology professional who is employed in primary and secondary schools. They provide academic, career, college, and social-emotional assistance to students of all ages. School counseling is an essential part of the US education system in elementary, middle, and high schools.
At one time, this professional was referred to as a guidance counselor. Today, the term school counselor better encompasses the job as an advocate for the student’s academic, career, college, and social and emotional needs.
School counselors working in elementary schools work with young children either one-on-one or in small groups. They are a sounding board for the student’s daily activities. They also often help teachers to assess the abilities of students and make sure that students with different needs are getting the care and education they need. High school counselors play a similar role, but they also work with students to transition from high school into college. (Money.USNews.com)
To become a school counselor, you need to earn a master’s degree or Ph.D. in school counseling. Below is more information on the salary you can expect in this profession.
School Psychologist Salary Information
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks statistics for many professions including psychologists in general and school counselors specifically.
BLS data shows the median salary for all psychologists is $92,740. The top 10% earn a salary that starts at $151,880. These professionals tend to possess more than 10 years of experience and have a doctoral degree. BLS also reports the median salary for all school psychologists is $84,940.
The BLS salary breakdown for school counselors is as follows:
- Bottom 25% salary – $48,760 and lower
- Median salary – $61,710
- Average salary – $66,990
- Top 25% salary – $78,780 and higher
- Top 10% salary – $100,050 and higher
Salaries vary depending on work environment. The following sectors are listed with their average salaries for school counselors:
- Elementary and secondary schools – $74,910
- Junior colleges – $67,420
- Educational support services – $64,130
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools – $58,390
- Technical and trade schools – $56,100
- Individual and family services – $46,400
- Vocational rehabilitation services – $45,270
- Childcare services – $37,450
At the state level, the BLS reports the following average salaries for school counselors:
| Hourly | Annual | |
| California | $41.26 | $85,820 |
| Washington | $39.08 | $81,280 |
| Massachusetts | $38.30 | $79,670 |
| New Jersey | $37.99 | $79,030 |
| Maryland | $36.66 | $76,250 |
| District of Columbia | $35.53 | $73,900 |
| Oregon | $35.35 | $73,540 |
| New York | $35.06 | $72,930 |
| Alaska | $34.45 | $71,660 |
| Connecticut | $34.04 | $70,800 |
| Rhode Island | $33.29 | $69,240 |
| Ohio | $33.03 | $68,710 |
| Delaware | $33.02 | $68,680 |
| Pennsylvania | $32.94 | $68,510 |
| New Mexico | $32.36 | $67,300 |
| Hawaii | $32.16 | $66,900 |
| Nebraska | $32.04 | $66,650 |
| Georgia | $32.03 | $66,630 |
| Illinois | $31.48 | $65,480 |
| Virginia | $31.48 | $65,470 |
| Wyoming | $31.33 | $65,160 |
| Minnesota | $31.17 | $64,830 |
| Texas | $30.66 | $63,770 |
| Louisiana | $30.50 | $63,440 |
| Colorado | $30.40 | $63,240 |
| Vermont | $29.86 | $62,110 |
| Nevada | $29.80 | $61,980 |
| Wisconsin | $29.62 | $61,610 |
| Michigan | $29.22 | $60,790 |
| New Hampshire | $29.19 | $60,720 |
| Montana | $28.96 | $60,230 |
| North Dakota | $28.62 | $59,540 |
| Kentucky | $28.52 | $59,320 |
| Alabama | $28.45 | $59,170 |
| Utah | $28.38 | $59,030 |
| Arizona | $28.10 | $58,450 |
| Maine | $27.97 | $58,190 |
| Arkansas | $27.90 | $58,030 |
| Iowa | $27.70 | $57,610 |
| South Carolina | $27.38 | $56,940 |
| Florida | $27.37 | $56,920 |
| Idaho | $27.15 | $56,460 |
| Indiana | $26.84 | $55,830 |
| Tennessee | $26.77 | $55,690 |
| Missouri | $25.93 | $53,940 |
| Mississippi | $25.89 | $53,850 |
| Kansas | $25.64 | $53,320 |
| North Carolina | $25.63 | $53,320 |
| Oklahoma | $25.50 | $53,040 |
| West Virginia | $25.12 | $52,240 |
| South Dakota | $24.67 | $51,320 |
Job Outlook for School Counselors
The BLS projects that the number of school counselor jobs will increase by 4.5% between 2023 and 2033. It is expected that increasing student enrollment in some areas of the country will cause more demand for school counselors. As enrollments get higher, some schools will need more school counselors to serve the greater number of students.
SEE ALSO: How to Become a School Counselor
Projection rates for school counselor job growth is also tracked at the state level over the period from 2022 to 2032:
| Utah | 29.2% |
| Tennessee | 20.7% |
| New York | 20.4% |
| Idaho | 19.9% |
| Colorado | 18.3% |
| Washington | 17.3% |
| Wyoming | 15.6% |
| Maryland | 15.5% |
| Delaware | 14.9% |
| Texas | 14.9% |
| Florida | 14.4% |
| South Carolina | 14% |
| Massachusetts | 13% |
| Georgia | 12.4% |
| Iowa | 12.1% |
| North Carolina | 11.6% |
| New Mexico | 11.3% |
| Alabama | 10.8% |
| California | 10.5% |
| Nevada | 10.3% |
| South Dakota | 10% |
| District of Columbia | 9.8% |
| Mississippi | 9.6% |
| Connecticut | 9.3% |
| Montana | 9% |
| Arizona | 8.9% |
| Vermont | 8.9% |
| Wisconsin | 8.8% |
| Louisiana | 8.5% |
| New Hampshire | 7.8% |
| Kansas | 7.4% |
| West Virginia | 7.2% |
| Oregon | 7.1% |
| North Dakota | 6.9% |
| Indiana | 6.7% |
| Minnesota | 6.7% |
| New Jersey | 6.7% |
| Oklahoma | 6.3% |
| Missouri | 6.2% |
| Illinois | 6.1% |
| Kentucky | 6% |
| Rhode Island | 5.8% |
| Virginia | 5.1% |
| Arkansas | 4.7% |
| Michigan | 4.7% |
| Ohio | 4.7% |
| Nebraska | 3.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 3.7% |
| Alaska | 2.2% |
| Maine | 1.8% |
For school psychologists, the BLS predicts a 0.7% growth rate for jobs between 2023 and 2033. There is more awareness today of the link between student mental health and learning. Also, more mental health services are provided in primary and secondary schools to increase academic performance and to meet student social needs.
Summary
Professionals who earn a master’s degree, online PhD in school psychology, or online PhD in educational psychology should find enough demand for their services. With enough years of experience and education, you should be able to make towards the top 10% salary range for your profession.
Most school counselors and psychologists work for a public or private school, and the salary is limited to the scale of that particular school district. However, some school psychologists with a PhD enter private practice and work one-on-one with troubled youth. Private practice can be a lucrative field, with a potential yearly salary of $100,000 or more.
May 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics salary for Psychologists, School Psychologists, and Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors. National labor market information and state labor market information also sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor. Information based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed February 2025.