School Counselor Salary
Real, self-reported pay data from School Counselors across the US — 24 submissions and counting.
School Counselor Salaries
| Date ↓ | State | Position | Salary | Education | Exp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | Texas | Specialist | $65,000 | Bachelor's | 5yr |
| Yesterday | Mississippi | Specialist | $56,000 | Master's | 15yr |
| 2d ago | Alabama | Specialist | $75,000 | Master's | 20yr |
| 2d ago | Illinois | Specialist | $60,000 | Master's | 1yr |
| 4d ago | New York | Specialist | $51,000 | Bachelor's | 4yr |
| 6d ago | California | Specialist | $95,000 | Master's | 15yr |
| 7d ago | Texas | Specialist | $65,000 | Bachelor's | 4yr |
| 8d ago | Colorado | Specialist | $75,000 | Master's | 8yr |
| 9d ago | Illinois | Specialist | $79,389 | Master's | 0yr |
| 11d ago | Arizona | Specialist | $64,000 | Bachelor's | 2yr |
| 11d ago | Wisconsin | Specialist | $23,000 | Bachelor's | 3yr |
| 11d ago | Pennsylvania | Specialist | $60,000 | Bachelor's | 7yr |
| 12d ago | California | Specialist | $103,000 | Master's | 9yr |
| 12d ago | Illinois | Specialist | $98,000 | Master's | 12yr |
| 13d ago | Kansas | Specialist | $63,000 | Master's | 4yr |
| 13d ago | California | Specialist | $130,000 | Master's | 19yr |
| 14d ago | Hawaii | Specialist | $75,000 | Master's | 0yr |
| 14d ago | Virginia | Specialist | $65,000 | Master's | 2yr |
| 14d ago | Vermont | Specialist | $53,000 | Master's | 4yr |
| 14d ago | District of Columbia | Specialist | $105,000 | Master's | 11yr |
| 15d ago | Illinois | Specialist | $38,000 | Bachelor's | 6yr |
| 15d ago | Vermont | Specialist | $47,000 | Master's | 1yr |
| 16d ago | New York | Specialist | $48,000 | Bachelor's | 5yr |
| 16d ago | Louisiana | Specialist | $51,000 | Bachelor's | 5yr |
People Also Ask
How much does a School Counselor make?+
Based on self-reported salaries on TeacherSalary.org, the average School Counselor salary in the US is $68,516. Pay varies significantly by state, district, and years of experience.
What state pays School Counselors the most?+
Among states with reported data, Illinois has the most School Counselor submissions. California, Washington, and New York typically offer the highest teacher salaries nationally.
What degree do you need to be a School Counselor?+
Most public school School Counselor positions require at minimum a bachelor's degree plus a state teaching license. Many districts pay higher on the salary schedule for a master's degree or additional graduate credits.
Is School Counselor a good career?+
Teaching offers strong job stability, summers off, and defined-benefit pension plans in most states. Salary has historically lagged other degree-requiring professions, but benefits, schedule, and job security make it attractive for many. Use this database to compare pay in specific states and districts before accepting a position.
What is the starting salary for a School Counselor?+
Starting salaries for School Counselors vary widely — from around $35,000 in some Southern states to over $60,000 in California, New York, and Washington. A teacher with a bachelor's degree and no experience typically starts at the bottom of the district's salary schedule.
Do School Counselors get a pension?+
Most public school School Counselors are enrolled in their state's defined-benefit pension system. Pension vesting typically requires 5–10 years of service. Teachers at private or charter schools may not be covered by the state pension.
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