School Counselor Salary in Hobart, IN: $56,012 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Hobart, IN earns a median $56,012/year (≈ $26.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Hobart's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $61,349 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, school counselors in Hobart, Indiana, can expect a median annual salary of $56,012, which reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen mental health support in local schools following the COVID-19 pandemic. This post-pandemic focus on mental health funding has bolstered hiring initiatives, with salaries ranging from $41,775 at the lower end (P10) to $86,819 at the high end (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variances, indicate that while Hobart's school counselor salary slightly lags behind the national median of $64,335, the hiring environment remains robust. The demand for counselors in Hobart is noteworthy, especially as the ASCA recommends maintaining a student-to-counselor ratio of 1:250, a standard that many schools strive to achieve in light of increasing mental health needs.
About the Hobart Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,775 | $20.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,838 | $21.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,012 | $26.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,534 | $34.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,819 | $41.74 |
Median Salary Position
12.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hobart
In Hobart, IN, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,044 (2026 est.). At $56,012, the local median is 12.94% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hobart: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hobart School Counselor Pay Compares
Hobart median: $56,012/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hobart Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $58,346 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -12.94% less |
School Counselors in Hobart, IN earn a median of $56,012 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.94% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.00% below the Indiana state average of $58,346.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hobart has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hobart, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $56,012 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,349 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,667
2025 BLS Actual
$54,887
2026 Current Est.
$56,012
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Hobart (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,667 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,589 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,628 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,312 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,652 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,361 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,887 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,012 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,160 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hobart metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $48,667 (2019) to $54,887 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,160 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,493 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hobart 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) | $41,775 – $44,838 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,838 – $56,012 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,012 – $71,534 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,534 – $86,819 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Hobart
In the current job market, Hobart employs seven school counselors, a figure that illustrates a focused yet modest demand for this critical role. The cost of living index in Hobart stands at 91.3, suggesting that the lower cost of living offers counselors decent purchasing power despite salaries being below the national average. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts generally lead in compensation, particularly those with salary structures based on experience and education, such as master's degrees or additional certifications. Factors influencing the pay spectrum include district-specific step-and-lane pay scales, where more experienced counselors or those taking on additional responsibilities may secure higher salaries. For those looking to enhance their earning potential, pursuing advanced education, such as obtaining a doctorate, or seeking additional roles with stipends can significantly improve overall compensation in this market.
More salary data for Hobart, 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 $54,887 for school counselorsin the Hobart 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 Hobart 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