School Counselor Salary in Council Bluffs, IA: $54,906 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Council Bluffs, IA earns a median $54,906/year (≈ $26.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Council Bluffs's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $60,737 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, IA, the projected school counselor salary for 2026 is $54,906, which is significantly lower than the national median of $64,335. With a salary range spanning from $38,443 at the 10th percentile to as high as $85,105 at the 90th percentile, these figures indicate a clear gradient in compensation relative to experience and educational levels. Notably, the actual ratio of counselors to students may be higher than the recommended 1:250 ratio set by ASCA, reflecting the need for increased support in local schools. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight the local job market's unique economic environment and the potential limitations facing newly graduated counselors entering the field.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,443 | $18.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,530 | $20.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,906 | $26.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,280 | $33.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,105 | $40.91 |
Median Salary Position
14.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, IA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,662 (2026 est.). At $54,906, the local median is 14.66% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Council Bluffs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Council Bluffs School Counselor Pay Compares
Council Bluffs median: $54,906/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Council Bluffs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $56,838 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -14.66% less |
School Counselors in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $54,906 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.66% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $56,838.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Council Bluffs 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.
Council Bluffs, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $54,906 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,737 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,706
2025 BLS Actual
$53,803
2026 Current Est.
$54,906
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,706 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,609 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,608 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,299 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,612 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,127 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,803 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,906 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,032 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $47,706 (2019) to $53,803 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,032 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,326 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs 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) | $38,443 – $43,530 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,530 – $54,906 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,906 – $70,280 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,280 – $85,105 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Council Bluffs
The local employment landscape has room for twelve school counselors, which indicates a modest but focused demand. The cost of living index for Council Bluffs is set at 90.4, suggesting that while salaries may be lower compared to the national average, the overall expenses for living in the area are relatively lower as well, impacting take-home pay and purchasing power. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer better compensation compared to charter schools and private institutions due to structured pay scales. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to factors like years of experience, advanced degrees, and additional responsibilities like being a department head. School counselors looking to maximize pay in Council Bluffs might consider pursuing advanced credentials beyond a master’s degree, or seeking roles in district programs that offer stipends or extended contracts, leveraging the benefits of post-COVID educational funding expansions aimed at enhancing mental health services.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, 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 $53,803 for school counselorsin the Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs 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