School Counselor Salaries: How Much Do School Counselors Make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for school and career counselors in 2024 was $65,140. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $43,580, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $105,870. If you enjoy working with children and have a passion for helping others cope with their struggles, consider a career as a school counselor.
Learn about school counselor salaries by state, what they do, and how to become one in this guide.
School Counselor Salary by State
Salaries for school counselors differ by region and employer. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook: School and Career Counselors and Advisors, May 2024, school and career counselors and advisors held over 376,000 jobs in 2024. The largest employers were:
- 39% in local elementary and secondary schools
- 24% in state and local junior colleges, colleges, universities, and professional schools
- 14% in private junior colleges, colleges, universities, and professional schools
- 6% in private elementary and secondary schools
- 4% in other private educational services
Per the BLS, schools are expected to hire more counselors and advisors to address students’ developmental, academic, and career-planning needs. About 31,000 openings for school and career counselors and advisors are projected each year from 2024 to 2034. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Maps provide state- and metropolitan-area data on annual salaries and hourly wages. The data below in our article includes the occupation group Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Texas, California, New York City, Florida, and Illinois as of 2024.
School counselor salary in Texas
How much does a school counselor make in Texas? According to the BLS, the average annual salary for school counselors in Texas was $65,140 or $31.324 an hour.
School counselor salary in California
California counselors report the highest average annual pay at $96,440 and the highest hourly pay at $46.36. The state also has the highest number of employed counselors at 44,160.
School counselor salary in New York
BLS reports that a New York school counselor earned an annual mean wage of $77,720. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metropolitan area has the nation’s highest number of employed school counselors, with an average salary of $84,800.
School counselor salary in Illinois
The average annual salary for a school counselor in Illinois was $69,870 in 2024. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area ranks third among metro areas in employment for counselors in this category. The average salary in the greater Chicago area was $73,930.
School counselor salary in Florida
The average annual salary in 2024 for a school counselor in Florida was $59,820, or $28.76. an hour. The state boasts the fourth-highest number of employed school counselors at 21,080.
School Counselor Salaries With a Master’s Degree
While there may be instances in which school counselors rise to the position from within a school or district without a master’s degree, nearly all school counselor positions today require a master’s degree. BLS reported the median annual salary for school and career counselors in 2024 was $65,140.
School Social Worker Salaries vs. School Counselor Salaries
School social workers perform many of the same functions as school counselors, but they specialize in strengthening connections among home, school, and community to help children overcome barriers to learning. Whether those barriers stem from family issues, poverty, or other challenges, both inside and outside of school.
The School Social Work Association of America (SSWA) states that school social workers are “trained mental health professionals who can assist with mental health concerns, behavioral concerns, positive behavioral support, academic, and classroom support, consultation with teachers, parents, and administrators, as well as provide individual and group counseling/therapy.”
Most school social work positions require a master’s degree in social work, but not all. They must be licensed by the state, and the BLS states the mean annual salary for school social workers was $62,920.
School Counselor Employment Projections
The BLS projects that employment of school counselors will grow 4% between 2024 and 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, which is 3%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects approximately 31,000 job openings annually for school and career counselors and advisors over the next decade. A significant portion of these openings is anticipated to come from replacing workers who leave the field, whether by transitioning to other careers or retiring.
The need for school counselors across the United States remains significant. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has recommended a student-to-school-counselor ratio of 250:1 since 1965, yet the national average for the 2024–2025 school year stood at 372:1. The gap is even more pronounced at the elementary and middle school levels, where ratios are estimated to range from 571:1 to 694:1 in states that report grade-level data separately. These figures suggest that while high schools are closer to meeting the recommended standard, younger students remain significantly underserved, underscoring continued and substantial demand for qualified school counselors nationwide.
Ready to Become a School Counselor?
School counselors are an important and growing presence in elementary, middle, and high schools. They can help establish and maintain a positive, supportive presence in a child’s life.
The BLS notes that most school counselors need a master’s degree. There are four basic steps to becoming a school counselor:
- Earn an undergraduate degree: While a specific field of study isn’t required, you will likely apply to graduate school later, so a degree in psychology, counseling, social work, or education may be especially helpful.
- Earn a master’s degree: Various kinds of master’s degrees could help you here, but if you want to set yourself up for success, aim for a master’s that focuses on school counseling. The coursework and faculty will not only prepare you for the occupation—emphasizing student development, academic achievement, social and personal goals, and, of course, counseling skills — but also help you build the knowledge you may need for state credentialing requirements.
- Get experience in the field: You’ll earn some experience while working toward your master’s degree, but an internship will help you get the real-life experience you need. State requirements vary.
- Become certified in your state: The ASCA has a directory of state certification and degree requirements for counselors. Because requirements vary, always confirm the most current details with the relevant state department of education or professional licensing boards.
Be sure to check out our detailed guide on becoming a school counselor.
Information last updated: March 2026
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