School Counselor Salary: How Much Do School Counselors Make?

School counselors play a central role in student success, supporting academic development, college and career planning, and social-emotional well-being across every level of education. It’s a career with growing demand, strong job stability and a clear path to advancement through graduate education.

So how much do school counselors make? Programs like Campbellsville University’s online Master of Arts (M.A.) in Education in School Counseling prepare candidates for this exact career path, and understanding the salary picture is an important part of deciding whether to enroll.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for educational, guidance and career counselors and advisors was $65,140 in 2024. Salaries vary significantly by state, school level, years of experience and degree level. This guide breaks down the current data so you know what to expect and what factors have the greatest impact on your earning potential.

School Counselor Salary: At a Glance

BLS classifies school counselors within the broader category of educational, guidance and career counselors and advisors. The figures below are the percentile breakdown BLS published for 2024, the most recent year available:

The median of $65,140 means half of all school counselors earn more than this figure and half earn less. Counselors in the top 10% of earners, typically those with advanced degrees, significant experience and positions in high-paying states or large districts, earn more than $105,870 annually.

School Counselor Salary by State

Geography is one of the strongest predictors of school counselor pay. State funding for education, cost of living, collective bargaining agreements and local labor markets all shape what school districts pay their counseling staff. The table below shows the annual mean wage for school counselors across all 50 states and D.C., per BLS state occupational wage data for May 2023, the most recent year with published state-by-state breakdowns for this occupation.

Highest-paying states for school counselors include California ($85,820), Washington ($81,280), Massachusetts ($79,670), New Jersey ($79,030) and Maryland ($76,250). Lower-paying states include South Dakota ($51,320), West Virginia ($52,240), Oklahoma ($53,040), and Kansas and North Carolina (both $53,320). In Kentucky, home to Campbellsville University, the average was $59,320, which is near the mean and in line with many Midwestern and Southern states.

School Counselor Salary by School Level

School counselors work across elementary, middle and high school settings, and salary often varies by the level at which they’re employed. High school counselors, who frequently take on heavier caseloads involving college and career advising, tend to earn slightly more on average. Elementary school counselors, while equally important, often fall at the lower end of the range within a given district.

In general, counselors at larger and better-funded districts earn more regardless of school level. Unionized school districts often publish salary schedules that apply uniformly across counselors at all grade levels, with pay driven more by years of experience and education level than by the specific school.

PayScale doesn’t track middle school counselor pay as a distinct national category, but generally falls between the elementary and high school figures above. These are national averages; counselors in high-paying states or large districts can exceed these ranges at any level.

How a Master’s Degree Affects School Counselor Salary

A master’s degree is more than a credentialing requirement for most school counselor positions; it’s a meaningful salary driver. Most states require school counselors to hold a master’s degree in school counseling or a closely related field as a condition of licensure. As a result, virtually all practicing school counselors with licensure hold graduate degrees, and district salary schedules typically reward advanced education directly.

In most public school districts, salary schedules include a degree-level column; counselors with a master’s degree are placed on a higher lane than those with only a bachelor’s degree, and counselors with additional graduate credits or a specialist degree (Ed.S.) earn even more. Nationally, teachers with a master’s degree start at an average of $3,354 (8.3%) above bachelor’s-lane starting pay, according to NEA’s most recent salary benchmark report, and most public districts apply a similar lane structure to counselor pay schedules. This gap compounds over a full career.

Beyond the salary schedule benefit, an M.A. in school counseling prepares graduates for state licensure, without which most school counseling positions are simply unavailable. The degree is both the professional credential and the primary salary lever. Programs such as Campbellsville University’s online M.A. in Education – School Counseling P-12 are built around exactly this outcome, preparing working professionals for state licensure.

Factors That Affect School Counselor Salary

Several variables interact to determine where an individual school counselor falls within the national range. The five factors below, covering geography, experience, district resources, credentials and school type, each play a distinct role in shaping take-home pay.

• Geographic location: As the state-by-state table shows, counselors in California and Washington can earn more than $80,000-$90,000 at the median, while those in Oklahoma and South Dakota may earn less than $55,000 for comparable roles. Urban metro areas within high-paying states often pay significantly more than the state median.
• Years of experience: Like teachers, school counselors in most public districts advance through a salary schedule tied to years of service. Each additional year typically brings a step increase, with larger jumps at key milestones (five, 10, 15 years). Counselors with 15+ years of experience routinely reach the upper half of the salary range in their state.
• District size and resources: Large suburban and urban districts, with larger tax bases and more competitive hiring environments, typically pay more than small rural districts. This is one of the most reliable predictors of salary within a given state.
• Graduate credits and additional credentials: Many salary schedules recognize graduate credits beyond the master’s degree. Counselors who earn additional coursework and an Ed.S. or pursue national certification through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) or National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) may qualify for a higher pay lane.
• School type: Public school counselors generally follow a structured salary schedule with step increases and defined benefits. Private school counselors may earn less in base salary but may experience different total compensation structures.

These five factors rarely act alone. A counselor’s actual salary usually reflects some combination of where they work, how long they’ve been in the field and which credentials they hold. Understanding how these variables interact can help prospective and current counselors set realistic expectations and identify where they have the most room to grow their earning potential.

How School Counselor Salary Compares to Other Counseling Careers

For prospective students considering their options in the counseling field, here’s how school counselor salaries compare to related counseling occupations based on BLS data. Reviewing these figures side by side can help clarify where school counseling stands within the broader counseling field before committing to a specific graduate program.

School counselors earn more at the median than most other counseling specialties tracked by BLS, reflecting the educational requirements (master’s degree and state licensure), the structured public school salary schedules and the strong benefits packages that typically accompany public school employment. This combination of median pay, job security and benefits is part of why the field continues to attract career changers from other counseling and social service backgrounds.

Mental health counselors in private practice settings can earn significantly more than BLS median with experience, but school counselors benefit from employment stability, defined pension systems in many states and summers off, which factor into total compensation. For many candidates, that trade-off between higher private-practice earning potential and the structure of public school employment is a central part of choosing a counseling specialty.

School Counselor Job Outlook

The job market for school counselors is growing. BLS projects employment of educational, guidance and career counselors to grow 4% through 2034, faster than the national average. Growth is being driven by rising student enrollment at the K-12 level, increased recognition of the importance of mental health support in schools and expanding mandates for college and career advising at the secondary level.

Several states have also moved to reduce student-to-counselor ratios through legislation, creating additional positions in districts that were previously understaffed. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) recommends a ratio of 250 students per counselor; many districts currently exceed that, creating ongoing hiring demand.

Competition for positions is strongest in high-paying metro areas; counselors with flexible geographic preferences and strong credentials have broader opportunities. Candidates willing to consider mid-sized districts or lower-cost-of-living states often find openings more readily, even if the posted salary range is narrower than in major metro markets.

Final Thoughts on School Counselor Salary

Taken together, the data show that school counselor pay varies more by geography, experience and education level than by any single factor in isolation. A counselor in California or Washington can expect to earn well above the national median of $65,140, while the same role in a lower-cost state may pay meaningfully less, even before accounting for years of service or an advanced credential.

For working professionals already employed in schools, earning this credential doesn’t have to mean pausing a career. Many candidates complete their degree through part-time and fully online formats designed for balancing full-time work and flexibility, and some go on to pursue additional leadership certifications once they’ve completed their master’s.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions about school counselor pay? The answers below draw on the same wage and outlook data referenced throughout this guide, with a few additional comparisons for context.

How much do school counselors make per year?

The national median salary for school counselors (educational, guidance and career counselors and advisors) was $65,140 in 2024, according to the BLS. Salaries range from approximately $43,580 at the 10th percentile to more than $105,870 at the 90th percentile, depending on state, district, experience and degree level.

What state pays school counselors the most?

California has the highest annual mean wage for school counselors among states at $85,820, followed by Washington ($81,280), Massachusetts ($79,670), New Jersey ($79,030) and Maryland ($76,250), per BLS state occupational wage data for May 2023.

Do school counselors make more with a master’s degree?

Yes. A master’s degree in school counseling is required for licensure in most states, and most public school salary schedules place counselors on a higher pay lane for holding a graduate degree. Nationally, that master’s-lane premium for teachers on comparable schedules averages $3,354 (8.3%), per NEA, compounding over a career.

How does school counselor salary compare to teacher salary?

School counselors and teachers in the same district typically follow similar salary schedules, but counselors may start at a higher lane due to the master’s degree requirement. In many districts, experienced school counselors and experienced teachers with similar credentials earn comparable salaries. The BLS median was $62,340 for elementary school teachers and $64,580 for high school teachers in 2024, both close to the $65,140 median for school counselors.

How much do high school counselors make compared to elementary school counselors?

The difference between high school and elementary school counselor salaries is modest within the same district; both positions typically follow the same district salary schedule. High school counselors may have slightly higher earning potential in districts where their additional college advising responsibilities are recognized. Nationally, PayScale data puts the average high school counselor salary at $68,186, compared with $66,603 for elementary school counselors, a gap of roughly $1,600.

Is school counseling a good career financially?

School counseling offers competitive salaries relative to other counseling specialties, strong job security in public school settings, defined benefits (including pensions in many states), predictable salary growth through step schedules and summers off. For those motivated by working with students, the financial and non-financial compensation together make school counseling a strong career choice. The BLS projects 4% job growth through 2034, slightly above average compared to all other occupations.

What is school psychologist salary vs. school counselor salary?

School psychologists typically earn more than school counselors: BLS reports a median salary of $86,930 for school psychologists in 2024, compared to $65,140 for school counselors. School psychologists require additional graduate training (typically a specialist degree or doctorate) and focus primarily on psychological assessment, diagnosis and intervention rather than the broader counseling and advising role of school counselors.

About Campbellsville University

Campbellsville University is a private, faith-based institution located in Campbellsville, Kentucky, offering associate through doctoral programs both on campus and online. The university’s School of Education graduate programs, including its counseling degrees, are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Campbellsville’s online M.A. in Education – School Counseling P-12 degree is designed for working professionals, combining flexible online coursework with three supervised counseling internships that provide hands-on fieldwork experience. Graduates are prepared to pursue school counselor licensure in Kentucky and comparable states, equipped to support students’ academic, college and career and social-emotional development across elementary, middle and high school settings.