School Counselor Salary in Ottumwa, IA: $52,899 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Ottumwa, IA earns a median $52,899/year (≈ $25.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Ottumwa's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $58,517 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual salary for school counselors in Ottumwa, Iowa, is anticipated to be $52,899 in 2026, reflecting a significant gap compared to the national benchmark of $64,335. These figures, which range from $40,921 at the 10th percentile to $81,298 at the 90th percentile, highlight the salary landscape for counselors working in the local educational system. Based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, it's evident that while Ottumwa's compensation aligns with regional expectations, it falls short of national averages. This discrepancy could signal challenges related to the high counselor-to-student ratio that exceeds the ASCA recommended 1:250, impacting the ability to attract talent in a competitive job market.
About the Ottumwa Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,921 | $19.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,195 | $21.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,899 | $25.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,490 | $31.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,298 | $39.09 |
Median Salary Position
17.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ottumwa
In Ottumwa, IA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,377 (2026 est.). At $52,899, the local median is 17.78% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ottumwa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ottumwa School Counselor Pay Compares
Ottumwa median: $52,899/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ottumwa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $56,880 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -17.78% less |
School Counselors in Ottumwa, IA earn a median of $52,899 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.78% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 7.00% below the Iowa state average of $56,880.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ottumwa 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.
Ottumwa, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $52,899 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,517 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,962
2025 BLS Actual
$51,836
2026 Current Est.
$52,899
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Ottumwa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,962 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,832 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,758 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,725 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,148 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,836 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,899 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,983 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ottumwa metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $45,962 (2019) to $51,836 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,983 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,021 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ottumwa 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) | $40,921 – $44,195 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,195 – $52,899 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,899 – $66,490 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,490 – $81,298 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Ottumwa
Five school counselors are currently employed in Ottumwa, which suggests a niche job market heavily influenced by local economic conditions. The cost of living index in the area stands at 90.4, indicating it is below the national average. This decreased cost of living can provide some relief regarding purchasing power for counselors. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer competitive pay, yet additional compensation opportunities exist in roles within high-demand charter schools and specialized programs. The spread in salaries can be attributed to a range of factors, including educational qualifications, experience, and specific contracts for extended school days or summer programs. For those seeking to maximize their school counselor pay in Ottumwa, pursuing advanced degrees or certifications, such as from CACREP-accredited programs, and actively applying for stipend-related positions may provide worthwhile advantages.
More salary data for Ottumwa, 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 $51,836 for school counselorsin the Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa 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