School Counselor Salary by State 2026
School counselor pay ranges from $47,530/yr in Mississippi to $78,960/yr in California. California, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Jersey are the top five highest-paying states. National BLS average: $61,710/yr.
| State | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate | vs National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $78,960 | $37.96 | +28.0% |
| Massachusetts | $77,090 | $37.06 | +24.9% |
| New York | $75,270 | $36.19 | +22.0% |
| Connecticut | $74,010 | $35.58 | +19.9% |
| New Jersey | $74,010 | $35.58 | +19.9% |
| Washington | $72,790 | $35.00 | +18.0% |
| Maryland | $70,950 | $34.11 | +15.0% |
| Hawaii | $69,130 | $33.24 | +12.0% |
| Alaska | $67,880 | $32.63 | +10.0% |
| Oregon | $66,620 | $32.03 | +8.0% |
| Rhode Island | $66,620 | $32.03 | +8.0% |
| Colorado | $64,780 | $31.15 | +5.0% |
| Delaware | $64,780 | $31.15 | +5.0% |
| Illinois | $64,780 | $31.15 | +5.0% |
| Minnesota | $64,780 | $31.15 | +5.0% |
| New Hampshire | $64,780 | $31.15 | +5.0% |
| Virginia | $64,780 | $31.15 | +5.0% |
| Pennsylvania | $61,710 | $29.67 | +0.0% |
| Nevada | $60,450 | $29.06 | -2.0% |
| Vermont | $60,450 | $29.06 | -2.0% |
| Arizona | $59,860 | $28.78 | -3.0% |
| Texas | $58,590 | $28.17 | -5.1% |
| Florida | $57,370 | $27.58 | -7.0% |
| Maine | $57,370 | $27.58 | -7.0% |
| North Dakota | $57,370 | $27.58 | -7.0% |
| Utah | $57,370 | $27.58 | -7.0% |
| Wisconsin | $57,370 | $27.58 | -7.0% |
| Michigan | $56,740 | $27.28 | -8.1% |
| North Carolina | $56,740 | $27.28 | -8.1% |
| Georgia | $56,120 | $26.98 | -9.1% |
| Ohio | $55,500 | $26.68 | -10.1% |
| Wyoming | $55,500 | $26.68 | -10.1% |
| Indiana | $54,290 | $26.10 | -12.0% |
| Montana | $54,290 | $26.10 | -12.0% |
| Nebraska | $54,290 | $26.10 | -12.0% |
| New Mexico | $54,290 | $26.10 | -12.0% |
| Idaho | $53,660 | $25.80 | -13.0% |
| Iowa | $53,660 | $25.80 | -13.0% |
| Kansas | $53,660 | $25.80 | -13.0% |
| Missouri | $53,660 | $25.80 | -13.0% |
| South Carolina | $53,660 | $25.80 | -13.0% |
| Tennessee | $53,660 | $25.80 | -13.0% |
| Kentucky | $51,840 | $24.92 | -16.0% |
| Louisiana | $51,210 | $24.62 | -17.0% |
| South Dakota | $51,210 | $24.62 | -17.0% |
| Alabama | $50,610 | $24.33 | -18.0% |
| Oklahoma | $50,610 | $24.33 | -18.0% |
| Arkansas | $49,360 | $23.73 | -20.0% |
| West Virginia | $48,130 | $23.14 | -22.0% |
| Mississippi | $47,530 | $22.85 | -23.0% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Covers SOC 21-1012 (Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors). Figures are estimates. Updated 27 March 2026.
State Pay Factors Explained
Education funding and state budgets
States with higher per-pupil education spending generally pay counselors more. California and New York consistently rank among the highest for per-pupil spending and have strong teacher unions that also cover counselors. States relying heavily on local property tax funding see wide district-level variance within the state.
Counselor-to-student ratio mandates
States with legislated maximum counselor-to-student ratios must hire more counselors, which increases both supply of jobs and negotiating power. California law requires one counselor per 500 students in high schools; the mandate creates sustained demand and helps support wages above the national average.
Salary schedule lane placement
In most states, counselors are placed on the same salary schedule as teachers, with lanes for bachelor's, master's, and additional graduate credits. States that offer higher lane differentials reward advanced degrees more generously. Negotiating your degree placement at time of hire can be worth thousands annually.
Urban vs. rural district differences
Within any state, large urban districts typically pay more than rural ones due to cost of living, larger budgets, and competition with private employers. Texas suburban districts around Austin and Dallas, for example, pay $65,000 to $75,000, well above the statewide average. Researching individual districts is essential.