School Counselor Salary in Sierra Vista, AZ: $52,484 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Sierra Vista, AZ earns a median $52,484/year (≈ $25.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Sierra Vista's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.2), that paycheck buys what $58,810 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the anticipated median annual school counselor salary in Sierra Vista stands at $52,484, marking a significant milestone following the post-COVID mental health funding expansion, which has spurred local hiring. The salaries for school counselors in this region generally range from $33,703 at the 10th percentile to $79,937 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflecting regional salary conditions. While this compensation is reflective of Sierra Vista's lower cost of living index of 89.243, it also illustrates an ongoing challenge for local professionals aiming to align their pay with national averages, given that the 2026 national median for school counselors is projected at $64,335. Despite these hurdles, Sierra Vista's job market is showing promise as schools seek to address student mental health needs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,703 | $16.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,704 | $19.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,484 | $25.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,285 | $31.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,937 | $38.43 |
Median Salary Position
18.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sierra Vista
In Sierra Vista, AZ, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,234 (2026 est.). At $52,484, the local median is 18.42% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sierra Vista: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sierra Vista School Counselor Pay Compares
Sierra Vista median: $52,484/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sierra Vista Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $64,335 | -18.42% less |
School Counselors in Sierra Vista, AZ earn a median of $52,484 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.42% lower than the national median of $64,335.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sierra Vista has a cost of living 10.76% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sierra Vista, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 89.243 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $52,484 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,810 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,080
2025 BLS Actual
$51,430
2026 Current Est.
$52,484
2019–2027 Growth
+21.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Sierra Vista (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,430 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,484 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,560 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sierra Vista metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 16.7% from $44,080 (2019) to $51,430 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,560 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,480 (21.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sierra Vista 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) | $33,703 – $39,704 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,704 – $52,484 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,484 – $65,285 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,285 – $79,937 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Sierra Vista
Currently, there are about 120 school counselors employed in Sierra Vista, providing a robust local job market for professionals in the field. With a cost-of-living index indicating expenses below the national average, the take-home purchasing power for counselors is enhanced, even as salaries may lag behind national figures. Local employment opportunities mainly come from K-12 public school districts, which often utilize a step-and-lane pay structure similar to that of teachers. In this framework, salaries frequently depend on years of experience and educational attainment, creating a pay spectrum based on qualifications. Factors contributing to the disparity between lower and higher salaries include advanced educational qualifications (master’s versus master's+30 or doctorate), additional responsibilities like department head positions, and extended school year contracts. For those looking to maximize pay in Sierra Vista, pursuing further education or taking on leadership roles might prove beneficial.
More salary data for Sierra Vista, 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 $51,430 for school counselorsin the Sierra Vista 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
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