School Counselor Salary in Manhattan, KS: $51,725 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Manhattan, KS earns a median $51,725/year (≈ $24.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Manhattan's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $57,369 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.7% below the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average school counselor salary in Manhattan, KS, is projected to be $51,725, a figure that reflects the ongoing adjustments made in the profession post-COVID as mental health funding expands. This salary range spans from $41,844 at the 10th percentile to $72,156 at the 90th percentile, offering variety in potential earnings based on experience and qualifications. These numbers are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data and illustrate the evolving job market for school counselors in this region. The presence of urban challenges and a growing emphasis on mental health contributes to the competitive hiring climate, indicating a responsive and adaptive job landscape in Manhattan.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,844 | $20.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,965 | $24.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,725 | $24.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,466 | $29.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,156 | $34.70 |
Median Salary Position
19.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Manhattan
In Manhattan, KS, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,312 (2026 est.). At $51,725, the local median is 19.6% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Manhattan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Manhattan School Counselor Pay Compares
Manhattan median: $51,725/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Manhattan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $57,281 | -9.70% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -19.60% less |
School Counselors in Manhattan, KS earn a median of $51,725 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.60% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 9.70% below the Kansas state average of $57,281.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Manhattan has a cost of living 9.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Manhattan, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.162 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $51,725 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,369 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.91% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,930
2025 BLS Actual
$50,686
2026 Current Est.
$51,725
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Manhattan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,686 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,725 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,785 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Manhattan metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $44,930 (2019) to $50,686 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,785 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,855 (17.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Manhattan 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) | $41,844 – $49,965 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,965 – $51,725 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,725 – $60,466 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,466 – $72,156 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Manhattan
With approximately 170 school counselors currently employed locally, Manhattan's job market demonstrates a steady demand for these essential roles, especially in light of the city’s cost of living index of 90.162, which is below the national average. This index informs the purchasing power of salaries, suggesting that while compensation may be lower compared to national figures, the cost of living allows for manageable expenses. Various employers influence salary rates, with K-12 public school districts often adhering to a step-and-lane pay scale for counselors, impacting earnings based on education and years of service. An increased emphasis on mental health initiatives and available funding allows districts to consider additional roles and stipends, further driving pay disparities and incentivizing specialized positions. Counselors aiming to maximize their potential earnings should consider pursuing further education and certifications, engaging in summer programs, or taking on leadership roles within their schools.
More salary data for Manhattan, 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 $50,686 for school counselorsin the Manhattan 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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