School Counselor Salary in Emporia, KS: $52,910 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Emporia, KS earns a median $52,910/year (≈ $25.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Emporia's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $58,207 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected school counselor salary in Emporia stands at $52,910, positioning it significantly lower than the national median of $64,335, making it essential for prospective counselors in the area to consider local salary dynamics. They can expect earnings to range from $40,238 at the 10th percentile to as high as $82,010 at the 90th percentile. These estimates derive from BLS state-level data and reflect adjustments based on regional price parities. With a small workforce of five school counselors currently in Emporia, it is evident that this sector may offer limited competition, thereby influencing the pay scales within the community, especially as districts adhere to the established step-and-lane structure to determine salaries based on years of experience and educational attainment.
About the Emporia Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,238 | $19.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,701 | $21.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,910 | $25.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,233 | $32.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,010 | $39.43 |
Median Salary Position
17.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Emporia
In Emporia, KS, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,772 (2026 est.). At $52,910, the local median is 17.76% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Emporia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Emporia School Counselor Pay Compares
Emporia median: $52,910/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Emporia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $57,324 | -7.70% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -17.76% less |
School Counselors in Emporia, KS earn a median of $52,910 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.76% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 7.70% below the Kansas state average of $57,324.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Emporia 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.
Emporia, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $52,910 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,207 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,972
2025 BLS Actual
$51,847
2026 Current Est.
$52,910
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Emporia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,972 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,842 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,768 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,735 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,351 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,847 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,910 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,995 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Emporia metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $45,972 (2019) to $51,847 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,995 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,023 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Emporia 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) | $40,238 – $43,701 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,701 – $52,910 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,910 – $67,233 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,233 – $82,010 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Emporia
The job market for counselors in Emporia reflects a competitive edge driven by several factors, including the area’s low cost of living, with an index of 90.9. This living cost indicates that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains more favorable than in higher cost regions. K-12 public school districts, along with a few charter and private institutions, represent the primary employers, although districts typically dictate compensation based on a multi-tiered pay scale that accounts for education and experience. The variance in school counselor pay in Emporia, KS, commonly stems from these district pay structures and the types of roles assumed, which may include additional stipends for leadership positions or extended contracts during summer programs. To maximize earning potential within this market, aspiring counselors should focus on pursuing advanced education beyond a master's, take on extra duties within their roles, and explore opportunities across different school settings for potential pay differences.
More salary data for Emporia, 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 $51,847 for school counselorsin the Emporia 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 Emporia 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