School Counselor Salary in Derby, KS: $56,514 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Derby, KS earns a median $56,514/year (≈ $27.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Derby's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $62,172 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Derby, Kansas, the projected school counselor salary in 2026 stands at $56,514, which is notably lower than the national median of $64,335, reflecting a difference of 12.16%. The salary range for counselors within the district varies significantly, from $40,204 at the lower end (P10) to $87,597 at the upper end (P90). These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the regional cost of living, which is assessed at an index of 90.9. Given the small number of employed counselors—just four in this area—this salary level signals a competitive but constrained market, especially when juxtaposed against the American School Counselor Association’s recommendation of a 1:250 ratio for counselors to students, indicating that Derby may face challenges in meeting the needs of its student population effectively.
About the Derby Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,204 | $19.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,882 | $21.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,514 | $27.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,828 | $34.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,597 | $42.12 |
Median Salary Position
12.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Derby
In Derby, KS, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,393 (2026 est.). At $56,514, the local median is 12.16% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Derby: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Derby School Counselor Pay Compares
Derby median: $56,514/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Derby Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $57,317 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -12.16% less |
School Counselors in Derby, KS earn a median of $56,514 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.16% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.40% below the Kansas state average of $57,317.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Derby has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Derby, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $56,514 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,172 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,103
2025 BLS Actual
$55,379
2026 Current Est.
$56,514
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Derby (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,103 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,033 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,091 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,772 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,124 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,782 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,379 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,514 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,673 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Derby metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $49,103 (2019) to $55,379 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,673 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,570 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Derby 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) | $40,204 – $44,882 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,882 – $56,514 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,514 – $71,828 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,828 – $87,597 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Derby
The local job market for school counselors in Derby reflects a modest growth rate of 2.05% annually, which is aligned with the expanding need for mental health support in schools in the post-pandemic context. The cost of living in Derby suggests that while salaries may be lower than the national average, take-home purchasing power remains relatively stable due to an index below the national benchmark. Among the employers offering competitive school counselor pay are K-12 public school districts and local charter schools, where the traditional step-and-lane pay structure determines compensation based on years of experience and educational advancement. Factors contributing to the wide salary spectrum include district-specific policies, position stipends, and the potential for advancement through extended contracts or leadership roles. To maximize their earning potential, counselors in Derby could seek additional certifications or opt for roles that come with additional responsibilities, thus enhancing their overall compensation packages.
More salary data for Derby, KS:
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 $55,379 for school counselorsin the Derby 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 Derby 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