School Counselor Salary in North Liberty, IA: $53,617 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in North Liberty, IA earns a median $53,617/year (≈ $25.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in North Liberty's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $59,311 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in North Liberty, IA are projected to earn a median annual salary of $53,617, which is notably below the national median of $64,335. The local compensation ranges from $38,140 at the 10th percentile to $83,106 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a significant variation in pay based on experience and credentials. Offering an environment for student support, North Liberty's schools currently have a counselor-to-student ratio that could benefit from improvements, as the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) recommends a ratio of 1:250, while the current national average stands at 1:385. This discrepancy signals both the challenges in meeting mental health needs in education and potential job security for school counselors as districts continue to focus on expanding their support services.
About the North Liberty Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,140 | $18.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,687 | $21.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,617 | $25.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,232 | $32.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,106 | $39.95 |
Median Salary Position
16.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Liberty
In North Liberty, IA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,966 (2026 est.). At $53,617, the local median is 16.66% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Liberty: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How North Liberty School Counselor Pay Compares
North Liberty median: $53,617/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Liberty Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $56,858 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -16.66% less |
School Counselors in North Liberty, IA earn a median of $53,617 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.66% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.70% below the Iowa state average of $56,858.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Liberty 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.
North Liberty, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $53,617 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,311 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,586
2025 BLS Actual
$52,540
2026 Current Est.
$53,617
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in North Liberty (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,586 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,468 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,118 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,856 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,617 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,716 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Liberty metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $46,586 (2019) to $52,540 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,716 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,130 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Liberty 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) | $38,140 – $45,687 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,687 – $53,617 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,617 – $68,232 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,232 – $83,106 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in North Liberty
As of the latest estimates, there are six school counselors employed in North Liberty, which contributes to a distinctly competitive job market. The cost of living index for the area sits at 90.4, suggesting that while the salaries may seem lower than the national average, purchasing power remains reasonably stable for local residents. In terms of pay, K-12 public school districts tend to be the largest employers, but potential increases can arise from additional qualifications such as obtaining a master's plus 30 credits or pursuing doctorate-level education. The variation in school counselor salaries within North Liberty can also be influenced by district-specific factors such as the step-and-lane pay scale, the presence of extended school year contracts, and stipend opportunities for extracurricular roles. For those seeking to thrive in this market, advancements in education and actively participating in additional training or summer programs can significantly enhance long-term earnings potential.
More salary data for North Liberty, 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 $52,540 for school counselorsin the North Liberty 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 North Liberty 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