School Counselor Pay

Indianapolis vs Jeffersonville: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Indianapolis, IN and Jeffersonville, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Indianapolis, IN
$60,695
$29.19/hr
Jeffersonville, IN
$56,194
$27.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIndianapolis, INJeffersonville, IN
Median Salary$60,695$56,194
Hourly Rate$29.19$27.01
Entry Level (P10)$42,894$42,445
25th Percentile$50,305$46,451
75th Percentile$75,147$69,870
Top Earner (P90)$84,008$87,101
Total Employed1,39011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Indianapolis ($60,695) and Jeffersonville ($56,194) school counselor salaries.IndianapolisJeffersonvilleMedian Salary$60,695$56,194Entry Level (P10)$42,894$42,445Top Earner (P90)$84,008$87,101US Median $64,335

Verdict

Indianapolis, IN offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Jeffersonville.

The salary gap between Indianapolis and Jeffersonville is $4,501 (8.01%). Indianapolis's median is -5.66% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Indianapolis spans $41,114,Jeffersonville spans $44,656. Jeffersonville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$42,894
P25$50,305
Median$60,695
P75$75,147
P90 (Top)$84,008
Jeffersonville
P10 (Entry)$42,445
P25$46,451
Median$56,194
P75$69,870
P90 (Top)$87,101

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Indianapolis ($63,425 effective) pays 3.05% more than Jeffersonville ($61,549 effective).

Indianapolis
Nominal: $60,695
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $63,425
Jeffersonville
Nominal: $56,194
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $61,549

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,695/year)
  • Larger job market (1,390 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,425)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Jeffersonville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($87,101)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Indianapolis grew 16.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.0% growth in Jeffersonville over the same period.

Indianapolis, IN

+16.2%

$51,190 (2019) → $59,476 (2025)

Jeffersonville, IN

+1.0%

$54,537 (2024) → $55,065 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Indianapolis or Jeffersonville?

Indianapolis has a higher median school counselor salary at $60,695/year, compared to Jeffersonville at $56,194/year — a difference of $4,501 (8.01%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Indianapolis and Jeffersonville?

Indianapolis school counselors earn $29.19/hr while Jeffersonville hygienists earn $27.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Indianapolis to Jeffersonville as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Indianapolis and Jeffersonville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Indianapolis = $63,425, Jeffersonville = $61,549), job availability (1,390 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Indianapolis vs Jeffersonville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $42,894 in Indianapolis and $42,445 in Jeffersonville. The Indianapolis area offers higher starting salaries.
MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed.

Content Lead

Maria has over 10 years of experience in school counseling. She specializes in academic and emotional support for high school students. She works at a public high school in California.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, M.A.Data verified by Linda Chen, LPC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.05% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov