School Counselor Salary in Indiana: $58,468 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Indiana's 43 metropolitan areas, the average median school counselor pay sits at $58,468/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 21-1012. Because Indiana sits at BEA RPP 91.3 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $64,039 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bloomington ($73,441), Indianapolis ($59,476), Carmel ($58,955).
In Indiana, the average median salary for school counselors in 2026 is projected to be $58,469, which is approximately 9.1% lower than the national median salary of $64,335. The highest-paying city for school counselors is Bloomington, where salaries are expected to reach $74,947, while Michigan City has the lowest at $46,644, creating a significant salary gap of $28,303. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, school funding, and demand for counselors in these areas. To practice in Indiana, school counselors must meet specific state licensing requirements, which include obtaining a master’s degree in school counseling or a related field and completing a supervised internship. The scope of practice is typically defined by state regulations, impacting the services that counselors can provide. A steady growth rate of 2.05% in employment for school counselors is anticipated, which reflects increasing awareness of mental health issues in schools and a demand for support services. Current job market trends indicate consistent employment opportunities in major metropolitan areas like Indianapolis, where the projected salary is $60,695, and Carmel, with an expected salary of $60,164. Job seekers should consider these factors when evaluating career options in school counseling across Indiana.
Indiana School Counselor Salary Range
Overall salary range in Indiana: $26,523 (lowest entry-level) to $106,320 (highest top earner)
Indiana vs National Average
Indiana school counselors earn 9.12% less than the national median ($-5,867/year difference).
Indiana School Counselor Salary Distribution (2026)
School Counselor salaries in Indiana range from $42,998 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $82,501 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $58,468. The Indiana median is $5,867 below the US national median of $64,335. The average hourly rate is $28.11/hr. Approximately 3,949 school counselors are employed across 43 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,034
2025 BLS Actual
$57,294
2026 Current Est.
$58,468
2019–2027 Growth
+19.3%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Indiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,034 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,172 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,902 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,558 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,351 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,986 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,294 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,468 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,667 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Indiana metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 14.5% from $50,034 (2019) to $57,294 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,667 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,633 (19.25%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Indiana 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 Indiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Indiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Michigan City | $46,644 |
| Muncie | $47,704 |
| Kokomo | $49,665 |
| Evansville | $52,745 |
| Terre Haute | $52,915 |
Best Value Cities for School Counselors in Indiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Indiana cities offer the most purchasing power for school counselors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $74,947 | 95.084 | $78,822 |
| Carmel | $60,164 | 91.3 | $65,897 |
| Elkhart | $59,066 | 90.325 | $65,393 |
| Greenwood | $59,435 | 91.3 | $65,099 |
| Noblesville | $58,974 | 91.3 | $64,594 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Indiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $42,998 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $58,468 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $82,501 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Indiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 43 Cities in Indiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bloomington | $74,947 |
| 2 | Indianapolis | $60,695 |
| 3 | Carmel | $60,164 |
| 4 | Fort Wayne | $59,585 |
| 5 | Lafayette | $59,526 |
| 6 | Greenwood | $59,435 |
| 7 | Elkhart | $59,066 |
| 8 | Noblesville | $58,974 |
| 9 | West Lafayette | $58,595 |
| 10 | Gary | $58,401 |
| 11 | South Bend | $58,326 |
| 12 | Goshen | $58,232 |
| 13 | Fishers | $58,188 |
| 14 | Plainfield | $57,637 |
| 15 | Mishawaka | $57,577 |
| 16 | Valparaiso | $57,533 |
| 17 | Columbus | $57,469 |
| 18 | Westfield | $57,348 |
| 19 | Franklin | $57,339 |
| 20 | Schererville | $57,212 |
| 21 | Anderson | $57,010 |
| 22 | Richmond | $56,759 |
| 23 | Hammond | $56,733 |
| 24 | Marion | $56,370 |
| 25 | Portage | $56,339 |
| 26 | East Chicago | $56,311 |
| 27 | New Albany | $56,302 |
| 28 | Jeffersonville | $56,194 |
| 29 | Zionsville | $56,035 |
| 30 | Hobart | $56,012 |
| 31 | Merrillville | $55,949 |
| 32 | Granger | $55,931 |
| 33 | Lawrence | $55,800 |
| 34 | Crown Point | $55,569 |
| 35 | Shelbyville | $55,552 |
| 36 | Brownsburg | $55,216 |
| 37 | Avon | $54,824 |
| 38 | Munster | $53,666 |
| 39 | Terre Haute | $52,915 |
| 40 | Evansville | $52,745 |
| 41 | Kokomo | $49,665 |
| 42 | Muncie | $47,704 |
| 43 | Michigan City | $46,644 |
More Indiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore school counselor hourly pay in Indiana 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 Indiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for school counselors in Indiana?
How does Indiana school counselor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level school counselor salary in Indiana?
How many school counselors are employed in Indiana?
Which Indiana 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 Indiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 43 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