School Counselor Salary in Kokomo, IN: $49,665 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Kokomo, IN earns a median $49,665/year (≈ $23.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Kokomo's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $55,400 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.8% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In the wake of the post-COVID mental health funding expansion, Kokomo, Indiana, has seen considerable growth in school counselor hiring. A crucial indicator of this trend is the median school counselor salary in Kokomo, projected to reach $49,665 in 2026. This figure falls notably below the national median salary of $64,335, highlighting a difference of about 22.80%. The salary range for school counselors in the area varies significantly, spanning from $37,174 at the lower end (P10) to $74,236 for those at the higher end (P90). These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the evolving needs of students and the increasing recognition of mental health's importance in academic settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,174 | $17.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,804 | $22.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,665 | $23.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,026 | $29.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,236 | $35.70 |
Median Salary Position
22.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kokomo
In Kokomo, IN, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,062 (2026 est.). At $49,665, the local median is 22.8% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kokomo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kokomo School Counselor Pay Compares
Kokomo median: $49,665/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kokomo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $58,292 | -14.80% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -22.80% less |
School Counselors in Kokomo, IN earn a median of $49,665 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.80% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 14.80% below the Indiana state average of $58,292.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kokomo has a cost of living 10.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kokomo, IN has a cost-of-living index of 89.648 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $49,665 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,400 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.55% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,360
2025 BLS Actual
$48,667
2026 Current Est.
$49,665
2019–2027 Growth
+4.8%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Kokomo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,667 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,665 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,683 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kokomo metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 0.6% from $48,360 (2019) to $48,667 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,683 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,323 (4.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kokomo 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) | $37,174 – $45,804 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,804 – $49,665 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,665 – $61,026 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,026 – $74,236 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Kokomo
The local job market for school counselors in Kokomo includes approximately 70 professionals, contributing to a well-defined community of practice. With a cost-of-living index of 89.648, the purchasing power of school counselor salaries is enhanced, despite lower annual earnings compared to national averages. In this environment, K-12 public school districts typically offer competitive salaries, particularly for experienced counselors holding advanced degrees who can tap into the step-and-lane pay structure. Variability in pay is influenced by factors such as district funding levels, additional roles like department head or club advisor, and summer program stipends. To maximize their compensation, counselors in Kokomo could consider pursuing continued education beyond a master's degree or seeking leadership roles, thereby enhancing their financial benefits while also improving services for the student population.
More salary data for Kokomo, 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 $48,667 for school counselorsin the Kokomo 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