School Counselor Salary in Arkansas: $61,310 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median school counselor pay sits at $61,310/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 21-1012. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $70,552 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Fort Smith ($64,945), Hot Springs ($64,474), Rogers ($61,356).
In Arkansas, the average median salary for school counselors in 2026 is projected to be $61,311, which is approximately 4.7% lower than the national median of $64,335. There is a notable salary difference between cities; Fort Smith offers the highest average compensation at $66,276, while Jonesboro presents the lowest at $52,425, reflecting a gap of $13,851. Factors such as local funding for education, district budgets, and the cost of living contribute to these variations in salary across different cities. In Arkansas, school counselors must meet state licensing requirements, including completing a master's degree in counseling and obtaining a state-issued license. The scope of practice for counselors includes academic, emotional, and social support, responding to a growing demand for these services. The total number of employed school counselors in the state stands at 1,471, with an annual projected growth rate of 2.05%, indicating a steady demand for professionals in this field. Top cities such as Hot Springs, Rogers, Springdale, and Little Rock are also expected to offer competitive salaries, further enhancing the overall job market outlook for school counselors in Arkansas.
Arkansas School Counselor Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $36,303 (lowest entry-level) to $97,052 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas school counselors earn 4.7% less than the national median ($-3,025/year difference).
Arkansas School Counselor Salary Distribution (2026)
School Counselor salaries in Arkansas range from $40,572 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $81,892 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $61,310. The Arkansas median is $3,025 below the US national median of $64,335. The average hourly rate is $29.47/hr. Approximately 1,471 school counselors are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,226
2025 BLS Actual
$60,079
2026 Current Est.
$61,310
2019–2027 Growth
+15.4%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Arkansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,226 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,748 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,395 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,673 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,363 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,079 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,310 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,567 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 10.8% from $54,226 (2019) to $60,079 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,567 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,341 (15.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arkansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arkansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Arkansas
Best Value Cities for School Counselors in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for school counselors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith | $66,276 | 85.888 | $77,166 |
| Hot Springs | $65,796 | 85.73 | $76,748 |
| Rogers | $62,614 | 86.9 | $72,053 |
| Springdale | $62,569 | 86.9 | $72,001 |
| Jacksonville | $61,220 | 86.9 | $70,449 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arkansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $40,572 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $61,310 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $81,892 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arkansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Smith | $66,276 |
| 2 | Hot Springs | $65,796 |
| 3 | Rogers | $62,614 |
| 4 | Springdale | $62,569 |
| 5 | Little Rock | $61,666 |
| 6 | Fayetteville | $61,606 |
| 7 | Jacksonville | $61,220 |
| 8 | Texarkana | $61,140 |
| 9 | Bentonville | $60,920 |
| 10 | North Little Rock | $60,755 |
| 11 | Benton | $60,412 |
| 12 | Conway | $60,356 |
| 13 | Paragould | $60,239 |
| 14 | Pine Bluff | $60,191 |
| 15 | Sherwood | $59,914 |
| 16 | Russellville | $59,598 |
| 17 | Cabot | $59,330 |
| 18 | Searcy | $58,710 |
| 19 | Bryant | $58,270 |
| 20 | Van Buren | $57,240 |
| 21 | Jonesboro | $52,425 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore school counselor hourly pay in Arkansas cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced school counselors.
Explore More School Counselor Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for school counselors in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas school counselor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level school counselor salary in Arkansas?
How many school counselors are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas city offers the best value for school counselors?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 school counselor compensation across Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more school counselorscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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