School Counselor Salary in Marion, IA: $55,906 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Marion, IA earns a median $55,906/year (≈ $26.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Marion's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $61,843 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Marion, Iowa, the projected median annual salary for school counselors in 2026 is forecasted at $55,906, significantly lower than the national median of $64,335. This salary falls within a range that stretches from $39,446 at the 10th percentile to $86,655 at the 90th percentile. Such figures emerge from estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price differences. With the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) recommending a student-to-counselor ratio of 1:250, the current ratios in Marion suggest greater needs for support staff, highlighting the potential for increased hiring in response to the growing mental health demands from students post-COVID. The local job market shows promise, especially as organizations recognize the necessity for more counselors in schools.
About the Marion Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,446 | $18.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,203 | $21.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,906 | $26.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,886 | $34.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,655 | $41.66 |
Median Salary Position
13.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marion
In Marion, IA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,209 (2026 est.). At $55,906, the local median is 13.1% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Marion: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Marion School Counselor Pay Compares
Marion median: $55,906/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $56,873 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -13.10% less |
School Counselors in Marion, IA earn a median of $55,906 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.10% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.70% below the Iowa state average of $56,873.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marion 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.
Marion, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $55,906 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,843 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,575
2025 BLS Actual
$54,783
2026 Current Est.
$55,906
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Marion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,575 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,495 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,215 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,552 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,112 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,783 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,906 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,052 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marion metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $48,575 (2019) to $54,783 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,052 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,477 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marion 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) | $39,446 – $44,203 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,203 – $55,906 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,906 – $70,886 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,886 – $86,655 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Marion
The local job market for school counselors in Marion remains relatively small, with only six professionals currently employed in the area. This limited number suggests competition for available positions, which can impact the salary levels offered. The cost of living index in Marion stands at 90.4, indicating that living expenses are lower than the national average. This translates to a somewhat favorable purchasing power for school counselor salaries, albeit with pay rates that generally align with the K-12 step-and-lane structure prevalent in many districts. Employers that tend to offer the most substantial compensation include K-12 public school districts and area charter schools. The variation in salaries typically reflects factors such as years of experience, educational attainment, and additional roles that some counselors take on, like advising clubs or extending their contracts for summer programs. To maximize pay in this market, obtaining advanced certifications and seeking positions within districts that prioritize counselor roles can be advantageous strategies.
More salary data for Marion, 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 $54,783 for school counselorsin the Marion 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 Marion 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