School Counselor Salary in Clinton, IA: $53,352 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Clinton, IA earns a median $53,352/year (≈ $25.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Clinton's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $59,018 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Clinton, Iowa are projected to earn a median annual salary of $53,352. This figure reflects the local job market following the significant expansion of mental health funding post-COVID, which has allowed for increased hiring of school counselors in the area. The salary range for these positions spans from $40,385 at the 10th percentile to $82,695 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide variation in compensation dependent on factors such as experience and educational qualifications. Estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments provide insight into the financial landscape for professionals in Clinton, revealing how local demand for services aligns with compensation trends amid ongoing challenges in mental health support for students.
About the Clinton Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,385 | $19.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,928 | $21.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,352 | $25.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,586 | $32.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,695 | $39.76 |
Median Salary Position
17.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clinton
In Clinton, IA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,310 (2026 est.). At $53,352, the local median is 17.07% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clinton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clinton School Counselor Pay Compares
Clinton median: $53,352/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clinton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $56,878 | -6.20% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -17.07% less |
School Counselors in Clinton, IA earn a median of $53,352 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.07% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 6.20% below the Iowa state average of $56,878.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clinton has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clinton, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $53,352 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,018 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,356
2025 BLS Actual
$52,280
2026 Current Est.
$53,352
2019–2027 Growth
+17.4%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Clinton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,356 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,233 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,176 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,875 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,151 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,595 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,352 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,445 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clinton metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $46,356 (2019) to $52,280 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,445 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,089 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clinton 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) | $40,385 – $43,928 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,928 – $53,352 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,352 – $67,586 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,586 – $82,695 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Clinton
While the compensation structure for school counselors in Clinton aligns with the statewide K-12 step-and-lane pay scale, local factors significantly influence salary levels. Currently, there are about six school counselors employed in the Clinton area, which creates a relatively stable job market for professionals. However, the cost of living index in Clinton sits at 90.4, indicating lower living expenses compared to the national average and enhancing the take-home purchasing power of these salaries. Employment opportunities primarily exist within K-12 public school districts, with the potential for more lucrative positions in post-secondary counseling roles or extended summer programs. To maximize pay, aspiring school counselors should focus on obtaining advanced qualifications beyond a master’s degree, such as a doctorate, and seek positions in districts known for higher investment in mental health programs, ensuring their skill sets are optimized for the evolving demands of schools.
More salary data for Clinton, IA:
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 $52,280 for school counselorsin the Clinton 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 Clinton 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