School Counselor Salary in Coralville, IA: $54,078 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Coralville, IA earns a median $54,078/year (≈ $26.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Coralville's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $59,821 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The post-COVID expansion of mental health funding has notably influenced the job market for school counselors in Coralville, Iowa, resulting in a projected median annual salary of $54,078 for 2026. With salaries ranging from a low of $39,264 to a high of $83,822, these figures reflect the local economic conditions and are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price parity. This compensation framework indicates a significant opportunity for those entering the field of counseling, particularly as districts aim to meet mental health needs following the pandemic. Given the increased emphasis on hiring school counselors, Coralville's job market is reportedly adapting to attract qualified professionals with appropriate credentials.
About the Coralville Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,264 | $18.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,311 | $20.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,078 | $26.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,297 | $31.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,822 | $40.30 |
Median Salary Position
15.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Coralville
In Coralville, IA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,558 (2026 est.). At $54,078, the local median is 15.94% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Coralville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Coralville School Counselor Pay Compares
Coralville median: $54,078/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Coralville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $56,865 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -15.94% less |
School Counselors in Coralville, IA earn a median of $54,078 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.94% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.90% below the Iowa state average of $56,865.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Coralville 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.
Coralville, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $54,078 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,821 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,987
2025 BLS Actual
$52,992
2026 Current Est.
$54,078
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Coralville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,987 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,876 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,845 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,834 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,311 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,992 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,078 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,187 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Coralville metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $46,987 (2019) to $52,992 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,187 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,200 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coralville 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) | $39,264 – $43,311 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,311 – $54,078 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,078 – $66,297 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,297 – $83,822 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Coralville
Among the six school counselors currently employed in Coralville, the local job market presents a mixed picture when it comes to compensation. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, counselors in this area are able to stretch their salaries further than in many high-cost districts, even though overall pay tends to lag behind the national average. K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive compensation packages, following a step-and-lane pay structure similar to that of teachers, where experience and educational attainment dictate salary scales. Factors contributing to salary variability include extended school year contracts, participation in summer programs, and added duties such as department head positions. Counselors looking to maximize their earning potential in Coralville should consider pursuing advanced degrees, which can lead to higher placement on the pay scale, while also remaining adaptive to the evolving demands in post-COVID mental health support within the educational environment.
More salary data for Coralville, 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 $52,992 for school counselorsin the Coralville 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 Coralville 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