School Counselor Salary in Prescott, AZ: $56,901 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Prescott, AZ earns a median $56,901/year (≈ $27.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Prescott's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $57,768 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.4% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The post-COVID mental health funding expansion has significantly influenced hiring practices for school counselors in Prescott, Arizona. With a projected median annual salary of $56,901 in 2026, local compensation demonstrates a competitive edge compared to the national median of $64,335. Salary estimates for school counselors in Prescott range from $42,874 at the 10th percentile to $88,197 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in the field. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, highlight how Prescott's approach to mental health support is reshaping job prospects. As districts prioritize student welfare amid rising counselor-to-student ratios, the market is becoming increasingly favorable for professionals entering this vital career.
About the Prescott Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,874 | $20.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,136 | $22.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,901 | $27.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,833 | $35.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,197 | $42.40 |
Median Salary Position
11.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Prescott
In Prescott, AZ, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,323 (2026 est.). At $56,901, the local median is 11.56% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Prescott: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Prescott School Counselor Pay Compares
Prescott median: $56,901/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Prescott Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $52,492 | +8.40% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | -11.56% less |
School Counselors in Prescott, AZ earn a median of $56,901 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.56% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 8.40% above the Arizona state average of $52,492.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Prescott has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Prescott, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $56,901 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,768 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,510
2025 BLS Actual
$55,758
2026 Current Est.
$56,901
2019–2027 Growth
+19.7%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Prescott (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,510 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,240 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,923 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,758 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,901 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,068 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Prescott metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 14.9% from $48,510 (2019) to $55,758 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,068 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,558 (19.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Prescott 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $42,874 – $47,136 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,136 – $56,901 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,901 – $72,833 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,833 – $88,197 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Prescott
In the local job market, Prescott currently employs nine school counselors, indicating targeted hiring amidst growing demand for mental health resources in schools. The cost-of-living index at 98.5 suggests that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains viable for those working in Prescott. K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive pay, attributing this to the established step-and-lane salary structure that considers experience and educational attainment. Factors contributing to the salary range include district-specific premiums, advanced degrees beyond a master's, and additional roles such as department heads or club advisors. For those eyeing a successful career in Prescott, strategies to enhance earning potential include pursuing higher education, seeking summer program positions, and staying engaged with the evolving mental health initiatives within local schools.
More salary data for Prescott, AZ:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $55,758 for school counselorsin the Prescott metropolitan area. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Prescott 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