School Counselor Salary in North Lauderdale, FL: $55,884 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in North Lauderdale, FL earns a median $55,884/year (≈ $26.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in North Lauderdale's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $55,440 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In North Lauderdale, Florida, the projected median annual salary for school counselors in 2026 stands at $55,884, significantly lower than the national median of $64,335. This discrepancy reveals a competitive local job market where the salary range is projected between $38,236 at the lower end and $86,164 at the high end, highlighting variations linked to experience, education, and specific district policies. The city employs seven school counselors, and despite the salary figures, the ongoing demand for more counselors due to the mental health funding expansion following the COVID-19 pandemic creates a complex backdrop for employment in this field. The ASCA's recommended 1:250 counselor-to-student ratio illustrates the staffing challenges faced in North Lauderdale, further influencing compensation dynamics.
About the North Lauderdale Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,236 | $18.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,663 | $22.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,884 | $26.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,023 | $33.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,164 | $41.42 |
Median Salary Position
13.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Lauderdale
In North Lauderdale, FL, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,928 (2026 est.). At $55,884, the local median is 13.14% below the national median of $64,335.
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At 40 hours/week in North Lauderdale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How North Lauderdale School Counselor Pay Compares
North Lauderdale median: $55,884/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Lauderdale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $57,612 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -13.14% less |
School Counselors in North Lauderdale, FL earn a median of $55,884 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.14% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.00% below the Florida state average of $57,612.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Lauderdale has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
North Lauderdale, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $55,884 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,440 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,555
2025 BLS Actual
$54,761
2026 Current Est.
$55,884
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in North Lauderdale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,555 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,475 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,509 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,194 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,531 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,673 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,761 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,884 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,029 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Lauderdale metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $48,555 (2019) to $54,761 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,029 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,474 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Lauderdale 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) | $38,236 – $46,663 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,663 – $55,884 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,884 – $70,023 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,023 – $86,164 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in North Lauderdale
Local salaries for school counselors are influenced by factors including a slightly elevated cost-of-living index of 100.8, which implies that take-home pay in North Lauderdale may not stretch as far as in other regions. Among the various educational institutions, K-12 public school districts typically provide the most stable compensation, while charter schools may offer different scales depending on their funding sources. The disparity between low and high salaries for school counselors can largely be attributed to experience levels reflected in the step-and-lane pay scale, along with differences in education such as advanced degrees. For maximizing compensation, counselors may benefit from pursuing further qualifications, seeking summer or extended year contracts, and engaging in stipend roles such as department heads or club advisors, all of which can enhance their overall pay. Understanding these nuances in the North Lauderdale job market will be vital for anyone looking to navigate their career path in this field.
More salary data for North Lauderdale, FL:
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 $54,761 for school counselorsin the North Lauderdale 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 North Lauderdale 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