Entry-Level School Counselor Salary in Longview, TX: $39,883 (2026)
Quick Answer:New school counselors entering the Longview, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $39,883 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 21-1012, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Longview's local price level (BEA RPP 89.5 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $44,569 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($64,685) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For those entering the field of school counseling in Longview, TX, the starting school counselor salary is projected at approximately $39,883 in 2026, which presents a gap compared to the overall median salary of $64,685 for this profession in the area. New graduates can expect a growth trajectory as they gain experience, advancing from this starting point to around $49,144 within a few years, eventually working their way towards the median as they build their skills and enhance their value in the role. With a 2.05% annual growth rate expected over the next five years, Longview appears to be a solid market for new grads aiming to make a mark in school counseling, especially considering the mental health initiatives bolstered by recent funding increases that have led to expanded hiring opportunities.
Career Earnings Timeline in Longview
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 Longview
Entry-level school counselors in Longview, TX typically start between $39,883 and $49,144 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $54,936 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $64,685 — 0.54% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average school counseling program cost in Texas of $38,000 represents just 95.28% of the starting school counselor pay ($39,883/year) in Longview. 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 Longview
- 1Research the Longview market: entry-level school counselor pay ranges from $39,883 to $49,144, 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 TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Longview, 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 Longview for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Longview'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 Longview is $54,936 ( 137.74%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $39,883, experienced hygienists can earn up to $94,819.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$35,510
2025 BLS Actual
$39,082
2026 Current Est.
$39,883
2019–2027 Growth
+14.6%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Longview (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,510 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,890 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,082 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,883 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,701 | Projected |
Entry-level school counselor compensation (10th percentile) in Longview, TX grew 10.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $35,510 in 2019 to $39,082 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $40,701. New graduates entering the Longview job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Longview 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 Longview
Local school districts are among the primary employers of new graduates entering this profession, typically offering step-and-lane pay structures that align with educational qualifications. Charter schools may provide somewhat higher initial salaries but lack the tenure opportunities afforded by public districts. Holding relevant credentials, such as a master's degree in school counseling from a CACREP-accredited program and obtaining state certification, can significantly enhance starting pay for positions within Texas. For new counselors, building a career strategy that emphasizes the ASCA-recommended student-to-counselor ratio of 1:250 is vital, especially given the average ratio of 1:385 nationally. The funding increase for mental health resources following the COVID-19 pandemic has also created more openings, as districts look to align salaries with those in similar K-12 roles, allowing for a promising salary growth trajectory in the first few years within the Longview job market.
More salary data for Longview, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for school counselors in Longview in 2026?
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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 Longview. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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