Entry-Level School Counselor Salary in Brookings, SD: $41,175 (2026)
Quick Answer:New school counselors entering the Brookings, SD job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $41,175 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 21-1012, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Brookings's local price level (BEA RPP 92.8 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $44,370 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($54,055) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the school counseling profession in Brookings, South Dakota, the starting school counselor salary is projected to be around $41,175 in 2026. This initial figure, while lower than the median annual salary of $54,055 for counselors in the region, offers a solid foundation for a growing career. Over the first few years, entry-level professionals can expect their salaries to rise as they gain experience and take on more responsibilities, with a realistic growth trajectory that could see them approach the median within three to five years. Given Brookings' current demand for school counselors, supported by recent mental health funding initiatives, new grads should find it an encouraging market for launching their careers.
About the Brookings Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Brookings
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookings
Entry-level school counselors in Brookings, SD typically start between $41,175 and $44,695 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $41,193 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $54,055 — 15.98% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average school counseling program cost in South Dakota of $35,000 represents just 85.00% of the starting school counselor pay ($41,175/year) in Brookings. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CACREP-accredited master's programs in school counseling. In-state public institutions are the lowest-cost option; private universities carry higher tuition. Totals reflect tuition and required fees; practicum and internship hours are typically unpaid and add opportunity cost. State licensure requirements may mandate additional coursework.
SC, LSC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Brookings
- 1Research the Brookings market: entry-level school counselor pay ranges from $41,175 to $44,695, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the school counseling field — employers in SD often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Brookings, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Brookings for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Brookings's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
School Counselor Compensation Range
The school counselor wage spread in Brookings is $41,193 ( 100.04%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $41,175, experienced hygienists can earn up to $82,368.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$30,812
2025 BLS Actual
$40,348
2026 Current Est.
$41,175
2019–2027 Growth
+36.4%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Brookings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,812 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,923 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,653 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,307 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,974 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,248 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,348 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,175 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,019 | Projected |
Entry-level school counselor compensation (10th percentile) in Brookings, SD grew 30.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $30,812 in 2019 to $40,348 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $42,019. New graduates entering the Brookings job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookings metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.05% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your school counseling Career in Brookings
Employers in Brookings primarily include local public school districts, which typically offer entry-level positions to new master's-level counselors based on a step-and-lane pay structure that aligns with education and experience. Charter schools may offer competitive salaries but often lack tenure benefits. Additionally, Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools provide unique opportunities with potential overseas placements and cost-of-living adjustments. To enhance starting pay in SD, new counselors should focus on obtaining state certification, ideally from a CACREP accredited program, and ensure they pass any required exams. While the counselor-to-student ratios remain a challenge—with the national average currently at 1:385 compared to the ASCA's recommended 1:250—growing public interest in mental health support has resulted in higher hiring rates. Over the first few years, graduates can anticipate gradual salary increases as they gain experience and possibly pursue further credentials such as NBPTS certification.
More salary data for Brookings, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new school counseling graduates. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Brookings. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brookings is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.05%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for school counselors (SOC 21-1012).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov