School Counselor Salary in Elkhart, IN: $59,066 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Elkhart, IN earns a median $59,066/year (≈ $28.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Elkhart's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $65,393 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the school counselor salary in Elkhart, IN, is projected to reach a median of $59,066, placing it about 8.19% below the national median of $64,335. This reflects the broader trend of increased hiring driven by post-COVID mental health funding initiatives. The salary range for school counselors in this city spans from $26,523 at the 10th percentile to $79,007 at the 90th percentile, as per the estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. Such high demand for school counselors, as districts bolster their mental health support systems, highlights the ongoing need for professional guidance in the educational environment. This growth in hiring, coupled with the various salary brackets, offers a dynamic backdrop to Elkhart's job market for aspiring counselors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26,523 | $12.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,434 | $21.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,066 | $28.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,476 | $32.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,007 | $37.98 |
Median Salary Position
8.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elkhart
In Elkhart, IN, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,484 (2026 est.). At $59,066, the local median is 8.19% below the national median of $64,335.
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How Elkhart School Counselor Pay Compares
Elkhart median: $59,066/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elkhart Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $58,308 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | -8.19% less |
School Counselors in Elkhart, IN earn a median of $59,066 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.19% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.30% above the Indiana state average of $58,308.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elkhart has a cost of living 9.67% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elkhart, IN has a cost-of-living index of 90.325 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $59,066 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,393 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.71% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,020
2025 BLS Actual
$57,879
2026 Current Est.
$59,066
2019–2027 Growth
+11.6%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Elkhart (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,020 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,879 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,066 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,276 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elkhart metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 7.1% from $54,020 (2019) to $57,879 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,276 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,256 (11.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elkhart 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) | $26,523 – $45,434 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,434 – $59,066 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,066 – $67,476 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,476 – $79,007 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Elkhart
When examining the local job market, there are currently 120 school counselors employed in the Elkhart area, which may indicate a robust demand amidst expanding mental health resources. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 90.325, suggesting that while salaries may seem lower than the national average, the affordability of living in Elkhart can enhance take-home purchasing power. School counselor pay in Elkhart often varies significantly based on factors such as experience, education level, and the particular school district. For instance, employment with K-12 public school districts typically follows a step-and-lane pay structure similar to teachers, while those in private institutions or specialized roles may see different compensation packages. Additional compensation can be gained through summer programs and taking on extracurricular leadership roles. Strategically seeking positions in districts with more substantial funding or exploring post-secondary avenues may offer viable pathways to maximizing overall pay in Elkhart IN.
More salary data for Elkhart, IN:
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 $57,879 for school counselorsin the Elkhart 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