School Counselor Salary in Wichita, KS: $56,595 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Wichita, KS earns a median $56,595/year (≈ $27.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Wichita's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $63,628 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
As of 2026, school counselors in Wichita, Kansas, earn a median annual salary of $56,595, which reflects a notable gap compared to the national median of $64,335. The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $41,683 at the 10th percentile to $75,067 at the 90th percentile, indicating varying levels of compensation driven by experience, education, and the specific school district's pay scale. Data for these figures is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, providing clarity on the expected salary landscape for school counselors in Wichita. Given the city's relatively low cost of living compared to national averages, opportunities in this market may provide appealing purchasing power for educational professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,683 | $20.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,844 | $23.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,595 | $27.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,856 | $33.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,067 | $36.10 |
Median Salary Position
12.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wichita
In Wichita, KS, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,384 (2026 est.). At $56,595, the local median is 12.03% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wichita: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wichita School Counselor Pay Compares
Wichita median: $56,595/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wichita Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $57,282 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -12.03% less |
School Counselors in Wichita, KS earn a median of $56,595 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.03% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.20% below the Kansas state average of $57,282.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wichita has a cost of living 11.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wichita, KS has a cost-of-living index of 88.946 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $56,595 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,628 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.43% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,420
2025 BLS Actual
$55,458
2026 Current Est.
$56,595
2019–2027 Growth
+10.2%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Wichita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,458 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,595 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,755 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wichita metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 5.8% from $52,420 (2019) to $55,458 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,755 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,335 (10.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita 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) | $41,683 – $47,844 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,844 – $56,595 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,595 – $68,856 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,856 – $75,067 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Wichita
In Wichita, approximately 680 school counselors are currently employed, highlighting a consistent demand for these professionals amid the ongoing push to enhance school counseling services. The local cost-of-living index, sitting at 88.946, is below the national average, meaning that salary levels stretch further for residents. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive pay, followed by charter school networks and private institutions. Factors influencing the differences in compensation range from district-specific step-and-lane pay structures linked to years of experience and educational attainment to potential stipends for leadership roles like department heads or summer program coordinators. Counselors aiming to maximize their earnings in Wichita might consider pursuing advanced degrees beyond a master’s or seeking positions that align with the expanding mental health initiatives made possible by post-COVID funding. This strategic approach can strengthen their salary prospects while addressing the critical need for effective counseling within the school systems.
More salary data for Wichita, 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 $55,458 for school counselorsin the Wichita 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