School Counselor Salary in Salina, KS: $55,456 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Salina, KS earns a median $55,456/year (≈ $26.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Salina's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $61,008 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Salina, Kansas, can expect a median annual salary of $55,456. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $64,335, reflecting regional cost-of-living factors and the specific employment landscape in Salina. Salaries here range from $42,282 at the entry level (P10) to $85,367 for the top earners (P90), with many positions within local school districts following a structured step-and-lane pay scale based on years of experience and educational attainment, such as placement for those with a master's versus a master's plus 30 additional credits. With the current trends in mental health funding and counselor hiring, the job market offers potential growth opportunities, particularly for professionals committed to enhancing their qualifications and skills.
About the Salina Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,282 | $20.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,134 | $22.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,456 | $26.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,235 | $33.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,367 | $41.04 |
Median Salary Position
13.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salina
In Salina, KS, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,085 (2026 est.). At $55,456, the local median is 13.8% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salina: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salina School Counselor Pay Compares
Salina median: $55,456/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salina Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $57,289 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -13.80% less |
School Counselors in Salina, KS earn a median of $55,456 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.80% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.20% below the Kansas state average of $57,289.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salina 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.
Salina, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $55,456 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,008 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,184
2025 BLS Actual
$54,342
2026 Current Est.
$55,456
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Salina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,184 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,096 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,115 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,803 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,129 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,775 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,342 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,456 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,593 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salina metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $48,184 (2019) to $54,342 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,593 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,409 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salina 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) | $42,282 – $46,134 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,134 – $55,456 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,456 – $69,235 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,235 – $85,367 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Salina
Salina employs approximately 11 school counselors, indicating a niche yet stable local job market. With a cost-of-living index at 90.9, salaries stretch further in this area compared to more expensive parts of the country. K-12 public school districts present the most lucrative opportunities for school counselor pay in Salina, particularly for those who engage in supplemental roles such as department heads or club advisors. The disparity in pay among school counselors often stems from differences in experience, educational credentials, and additional responsibilities, along with the district's policies regarding extended contracts during the summer. For those seeking to maximize their school counselor salary in Salina, pursuing higher education, gaining relevant certifications, and actively seeking extracurricular roles can provide the best paths to financial advancement.
More salary data for Salina, 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 $54,342 for school counselorsin the Salina 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 Salina 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